⚽ Events & QR Code · May 2026

2026 French Cup Final: Lens-Liévin Hides QR Codes to Win Tickets for the Big Screen

RC Lens faces OGC Nice on 22 May at the Stade de France. The local community hid QR codes across 5 sites to give away 50 free tickets for the giant-screen screening at Stade Bollaert.

📝 By the DoItQR team 📅 May 21, 2026 ⏱ 5 min read

🌐 FR | EN | ES

1. The QR Code Hunt Across Lens-Liévin

With hours to go before a historic final, the Communauté d'Agglomération de Lens-Liévin (CALL) turned its territory into a playground. To celebrate RC Lens's appearance in the Coupe de France Crédit Agricole final, the local authority launched an original contest: 50 free tickets for a giant-screen screening at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, up for grabs by scanning hidden QR codes scattered around the area.

The initiative was led by Anthony Vermusse, the CALL's digital editorial manager. The concept is deliberately simple: five QR codes concealed across five different community sites, each giving access to ten tickets (two batches of five per site). Scanning just one code is enough to enter.

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A real-world gamification campaign By hiding QR codes across the agglomeration, the CALL transformed a digital technology into a community engagement tool — bringing residents together in a shared pursuit ahead of the most anticipated final in Lens history since 1998.
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How to collect your prize Winners collect their tickets at CALL headquarters, 21 rue Marcel Sembat, Lens, on Thursday and Friday from 8:30am–12pm and 2pm–5:30pm, upon presentation of an ID matching the details submitted after scanning.

2. How to Enter: Rules of the Game

The contest is designed for maximum accessibility. There is no need to hunt down all five QR codes — a single scan is enough to be in with a chance. Each of the five sites yields five winners, with CALL team members present on location to assist participants.

  1. Locate one of the 5 community sites across the Lens-Liévin area where QR codes are hidden.
  2. Scan the QR code using your smartphone camera or a QR reader app.
  3. Fill in the online form with your exact contact details (name, surname, contact info).
  4. Wait for CALL's notification — 5 winners per site are selected at random.
  5. If you win, present yourself at CALL headquarters with your ID card to collect your tickets.
  6. Enjoy the live broadcast on the giant screen at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on 22 May at 9pm!
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One scan, one chance — the QR code at its most elegant This contest showcases one of the QR code's greatest strengths in event marketing: a single, effortless action — one scan — triggers immediate participation. No app to download, no form to fill in advance, no barrier to entry.

3. The Final — RC Lens vs OGC Nice: Key Facts

On Friday 22 May 2026 at 9pm, the Stade de France in Saint-Denis hosts the 109th edition of the Coupe de France Crédit Agricole final. The match pits RC Lens — second in Ligue 1 this season and Champions League-qualified — against OGC Nice.

For the Racing Club de Lens, this is a historic opportunity: the club has never won the Coupe de France and had not reached the final since 1998. A trophy would crown an exceptional season for the Sang et Or.

Key Information Details
Date & time Friday 22 May 2026, 9:00pm
Venue Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Edition 109th Coupe de France Crédit Agricole
Clubs RC Lens vs OGC Nice
Tickets allocated to RC Lens ~19,600 (for 28,500 season-ticket holders)
Local screening Giant screen at Stade Bollaert-Delelis (Lens)
A ticket crisis that made the QR hunt all the more valuable The French Football Federation allocated just 19,600 paid tickets to RC Lens for a club with 28,500 season-ticket holders. Demand far outstripped supply, making the CALL's free QR-code contest a lifeline for thousands of fans unable to secure a seat at the Stade de France.

4. Official Ticketing and QR Code Scams: Stay Alert

The extraordinary popularity of this final has attracted bad actors. The French Football Federation (FFF) issued an official warning about the proliferation of fraudulent ticketing websites impersonating its identity and visual identity — some using fake QR codes to trap supporters into handing over money and personal data.

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Beware of fake tickets with QR codes Fraudulent sites are circulating fake tickets carrying invalid QR codes. A malicious QR code can redirect to a phishing page, harvest your banking details, or sell you non-existent seats. Always verify the source before scanning or buying.

The only official ticketing channels

  • FFF official ticketing: billetterie.fff.fr
  • RC Lens official site: billetterie.rclens.fr
  • OGC Nice official site: billetterie.ogcnice.com
  • Stade de France ticketing: stadefrance.com
  • Any third-party or unofficial reseller website
  • QR codes shared on social media without verification
  • Printed tickets sold informally with a QR code
The FFF reminds the public that only its official sites allow tickets to be purchased for this match. It draws attention to the existence of fraudulent sites reproducing its visual identity and impersonating its brand.

5. QR Codes at the Heart of Sports Events

The CALL's initiative perfectly illustrates the growing role of QR codes in sports event management. Far beyond payments and ticket access, the QR code has become a tool for engagement, gamification, and community building at major events.

QR code use in sports Concrete example Benefit
Digital ticketing E-ticket scanned at turnstiles Anti-fraud, shorter queues
Territorial contests CALL QR code hunt Community engagement, local buzz
Fan information Stadium map, schedule, F&B menu Enriched fan experience
Merchandise authentication QR codes on jerseys and official products Anti-counterfeiting, proof of authenticity
Live fan interactions MVP vote, live polls Audience participation, social buzz
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The QR code: the universal interface of live events From the Olympic Games to regional cup finals, the QR code has established itself as the standard for access and interaction at sports events. Its simplicity — one camera scan, no app required — makes it the ideal tool to reach every audience, from digital natives to the least tech-savvy fans.

6. How to Verify a QR Code Before Scanning

In the context of a final as high-profile as this one, caution is essential when encountering QR codes on unofficial materials — rogue posters, social media shares, informal ticket resales. A QR code can hide any URL behind an innocent-looking image.

Before scanning a QR code linked to ticket purchase, a payment, or the submission of personal data, take a moment to verify its destination and legitimacy. Our diagnostic tool analyses the content of any QR code within seconds and flags suspicious redirects.

  • Verify that the destination domain matches the expected official site
  • Be wary of QR codes on unofficial materials or shared via social media
  • A valid event ticket QR code always points to the organiser's official domain
  • Use the DoItQR diagnostic tool to analyse the encoded URL before any purchase
  • Never enter banking details on a page accessed via an unverified QR code

7. Create and Verify Your QR Codes with DoItQR

Whether you are an event organiser, a local authority, or simply a cautious supporter, DoItQR gives you the tools to generate, scan, and analyse QR codes with total confidence.

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Verify a ticket QR code before paying

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8. Conclusion: When the QR Code Celebrates Football

The QR code hunt organised by the Communauté d'Agglomération de Lens-Liévin is far more than a promotional gimmick. It shows how a simple, universally accessible technology can transform a sporting event into a shared community experience and unite an entire region around a common wave of excitement.

It is also a timely reminder of a less welcome reality: when events generate this level of enthusiasm, QR code fraud multiplies. A code that takes seconds to generate can just as easily conceal a malicious intent.

Whether you're hunting for tickets at Stade Bollaert or making a purchase online, the right reflex is always the same: before you scan, verify. DoItQR helps you do that in seconds.

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🔗 Sources and useful links