Stade Raymond Kopa

Up until the last decade, the Stade Raymond Kopa was quite a run-down, basic football stadium that was in desperate need of some TLC. However, that has all changed in recent years with significant renovation work taking place.

The renovation work has seen three of the four stands at the stadium renovated and expanded, while a new roof has been placed on top of all four stands to give the stadium a more modern look.

The new flat roof has made the stadium look completely different from the outside. Some fans appreciate the modern look, while others feel that it makes it look like some kind of supermarket.

Away fans at the Stade Raymond Kopa are typically situated in the Tribune Coubertin at one end of the stadium. The view of the pitch from here is excellent as the stand is close to the pitch and there are no supporting pillars to obstruct your view.

Angers supporters have been known to generate a brilliant atmosphere inside the Stade Raymond Kopa. Some of the chants you can expect to hear on a trip to the stadium include:

• Et le Sporting va gagner
• Tes supporters sont la
• Angers!
• Aux Armes
• Allez le SCO

Tifos are a big part of French football, and Angers supporters have created their fair share of displays over the years. Some of the most notable have been highlighted below.

Magic scop

SCO 1919

Since its renovation, there isn’t a bad place to sit at the Stade Raymond Kopa, but the best views can be found in the Tribune Saint Leonard, which was reconstructed from 2020 to 2022.

The Tribune Saint Leonard is situated along one of the two sides of the pitch, opposite the Tribune Jean Bouin, where the press box and hospitality boxes are found.

It only has one tier, meaning you should try to get tickets around halfway up and as close to the halfway line as possible. Specifically, look to get tickets in blocks 5-7.

If you want to be in and among the atmosphere at the stadium, then look to get tickets in the Tribune Colombier as this is where the Angers ultras are located.

Seating plan

Some of the best pubs near the stadium include:

• Matt Murphy’s – 25 Bd du Marechal Foch, 49100 Angers, France
• Bigwood’s – 20 Rue Chateaugontier, 49100 Angers, France
• Le Pub du Ralliement – 5 Pl. du Ralliement, 49100 Angers, France

Fans can purchase food inside the stadium before kick-off until half-time. The options aren’t bad either, with a combination of typical football fare (burgers and hot dogs) and local cuisine. Lighter snacks are also available if you don’t need hot food or anything substantial.

Drink options include soft drinks, hot drinks and alcohol.

If you would rather eat at a restaurant before heading to the match, then you are not short of options in Angers’ centre. Our three recommendations are as follows:

• Mamie Fada – 18 Quai des Carmes, 49100 Angers, France
• Les Fils a Maman – Pl. du Pilori, 49100 Angers, France
• La Reserve Angers -Bd Henri Arnauld 5ème étage – Par l’ascenseur, 49100 Angers, France

By car

Exit the A87 at exit 18b and follow the road round until you reach the first set of traffic lights. At the lights, turn right and then just follow the signs for ‘Stade Raymond Kopa’.

By public transport

The stadium is located around a half-hour walk from Aners’ main railway station. Alternatively, you can take bus routes 2, 9 or 12 to get to the stadium from the station.

The current capacity of the Stade Raymond Kopa is 19,800, but this is a figure that has fluctuated throughout the year.

When the stadium first opened, its capacity was much smaller than this. There were no permanent stands, and there was an athletics track around the pitch. This track was removed in 1957, and the Tribune Saint Leonard was built in its place.

Twelve years later, the stadium’s record attendance of 22, 989 was recorded. However, the addition of all-seated stands in the years that followed means that this figure is now impossible to achieve.

Stade Raymond Kopa capacity by stands

• Jean-Bouin – 5,000
• Saint-Leonard – 5,139
• Colombier – 4,582
• Coubertin – 5,000

The Stade Raymond Kopa was originally opened in 1912 under the name Stade Bessonneau, named after the local industrialist Julien Bessonneau, who financed its construction. Built in the southeast of the city, the stadium quickly became the home ground of Angers SCO.

In 1957, the stadium was purchased by the city and renamed Stade Municipal. Major changes were made during this period, including the removal of the athletics track that had surrounded the pitch and the construction of the Saint-Leonard stand.

In 1968, the venue was renamed Stade Jean-Bouin, honouring the French Olympic runner Jean Bouin.

The stadium underwent a significant redevelopment in 1993 when Angers reached Ligue 1. A new stand called Colombier was built to meet league standards, though later safety regulations reduced the capacity to around 17,000.

Around this time, a well-known grass mound behind one goal—where the most passionate supporters gathered—was removed as part of modernisation efforts. Further changes continued in the 2010s, including the construction of the Coubertin stand and upgrades to infrastructure and spectator facilities.

In 2017, the stadium received its current name, Stade Raymond Kopa, in honour of the legendary French footballer Raymond Kopa, who began his professional career at Angers and died earlier that year.

Since then, further renovation projects have expanded and modernised the ground, including the reconstruction of the Saint-Leonard stand.

Record attendance

• 22,989 (Angers SCO vs Olympique de Marseille, 26 April 1969)

Average attendances

• 2024/25 – 13,147 (Ligue 1)
• 2023/24 – 9,491 (Ligue 2)
• 2022/23 – 9,637 (Ligue 1)

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