Stade Velodrome

The trip to the Stade Velodrome can be intimidating for away supporters. Still, fans who make this trip will be housed in the goal-end of the Virage Nord’s north-east corner. The Tribune Ganay will also hold some of his supporters in the eastern grandstand. Unlike in some stadiums where away supporters are placed in the uppermost tiers, the away supporters at the Stade Velodrome are seen occupying the lower tiers.

Over the years, the Stade Velodrome has undergone significant renovations. These updates have brought the stadium in line with modern trends and the expectations of fans and UEFA. As a venue for recent European championships, the Stade Velodrome needed a major facelift. Consequently, visiting fans can enjoy some of the best seating options in football stadiums. There are very few bad seats throughout the stadium. Although the food and beverage options may not be the best, there are several small sandwich shops located around the grounds.

For fans who want to pick up some merchandise, there are many stores dotted across the city. They will be able to provide access to an incredible range of merchandise. Furthermore, there is an online store from Marseille.

Olympique Marseille (OM) are famous for having one of the most passionate and vocal fanbases in Europe, especially led by groups like Commando Ultra 84, South Winners and Marseille Top Puissant (MTP).

On matchdays at Stade Velodrome, the atmosphere is electric, with fans singing non-stop, waving flags and creating choreographies that intimidate opponents and inspire the team. Many of the chants are sung in French, but their rhythm and emotion make them easy for everyone in the stadium to join.

Below are some of the most iconic OM chants.

• Aux Armes
• Qui ne saute pas n’est pas Marseillais!
• Allez I’OM, allez I’OM
• Ohh Marseille allez, Marseille allez, Marseille allez…
• Marseille contre tous!

The Stade Velodrome is historically rich football ground that was built in 1937 to serve in the 1938 World Cup bid by France. It has been able to host rugby and football events in its glorious history.

Now serving as the home of Olympique de Marseille, Stade Velodrome is a great destination for any football fan. This European stadium lives up to the bowl style adopted by many stadiums in this region. There are four major stands in the stadium, and they are named after different athletes – 1920s cyclist Gustave Ganay, runner Jean Bouin, historical figure of the 1720s plague Chevalier Roze, and Marseille supporter Patrice De Peretti.

Tribune Ganay

Located opposite the Jean Bouin stand, this section was named in honour of cyclist Gustave Ganay. It also comprises a large VIP section and a large flat screen for providing fans with crucial information. This section also uses the elliptical style with several frames.

Tribune Jean Bouin

This is one of the largest stands in the ground, and it houses all the important sections of the stadium, like players’ tunnels, dugouts, changing rooms, and more. This is also the place where you can find some of the best executive seats in the stadium.

Virage Nord

This north stand is named in remembrance of the masses about Patrice De Peretti, who was one of the founders of a Marseille supporters group. He was regarded as one of the most passionate supporters, and his close relationship with the club was celebrated by naming this stand in his honour. The stand has a unique structure with a wavy appearance, and it is known for a noisy ambience on match days.

Virage Sud

Located on the southern section of the stadium, this stand is home to the ultras. The supporters club especially make their presence felt in this section.

Stade Velodrome seating plan

The outdoor culture and weather are strong points of Marseille. Many supporters flock to the ground, with the weather being pleasant for most of the year. There are numerous options for visitors to grab a couple of pints of beer or some food, which is popular among the locals. There are locations in different parts of the city – North and South. Some of the top favourites amongst visiting supporters are:

O’Brady’s Irish Pub

This is an Irish bar established in Marseille by Jean-Luc Bardy, whose father was responsible for coaching the French athletics team. After a trip to Ireland as a non-drinker, Bardy returned as a drinker with extensive knowledge about beers. This led to the setup of this pub, which is a specialist when it comes to serving Guinness. It is also a great case for sport and enjoying some delicious food.

Brasserie du Stade

Brasserie du Stade can be considered more of a restaurant, and it has some excellent food on offer. There are also top-class drinks for fans before the match. A big advantage of this place is its proximity to the Stade Velodrome, unlike many of the options that are revered for their food and drinks in the city.

The Black Unicorn

This is a British-style pub in the city. They are a specialist when it comes to showing the games on big screens while still providing options for enjoying Guinness, lagers, and ales. This can be a great choice for a pre-match pint of beer.

Apart from these pubs, there are many options for visiting supporters to dine. As the top European cities for culture and food, Marseille is rich in terms of options. There are also many hospitality boxes in the Stade Velodrome. One can directly contact the club and get most of the itinerary for the trip from fans. Apart from private boxes, the stadium also has a private section where you will be able to enjoy uninterrupted views of the pitch, a gourmet buffet, and interact with former Marseille players.

On matchdays at Stade Velodrome, the food and drink options add to the vibrant Marseille atmosphere. Supporters can grab quick bites like sandwiches, pizzaz, or snacks, along with soft drinks and beer, to enjoy before or during the game.

The offerings are designed for convenience, letting fans stay fueled and focus on the action while soaking in the passion of OM’s home ground.

Hot dog

Hot dog at Marseille (@OM_Officiel)

💶 €6 (£5.30) pic.twitter.com/G2Q27g6d79

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) May 23, 2023

Pizza

Olive pizza at Marseille (@OM_English @OM_Officiel)

💶 €5 (£4.20) pic.twitter.com/QW62CRUWJi

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) June 1, 2022

The location of the Stadio velodrome in the south of Marseille makes it quite convenient to reach by car. It is about 3.5 km from the city centre.

By car

For those approaching the stadium from the north or the airport, the A55 towards Marseille will be the route to follow. After getting on this road, you will be travelling for around 25 minutes before the stadium comes into view. Since Marseille is well-connected by road, it is even possible to plan a weekend trip by car. For those who are not entirely convinced about their navigational skills, the SATNAV can be programmed to the following address:
3, Boulevard Michelet, 13008 Marseille

Once at the Stade Velodrome, you will find that there is no shortage of parking spots at the ground. There is an extensive quantity of parking spots, even on match days. You may have to pay around a few euros for the spot, which is located to the north of the stadium.

Alternatively, one can also decide to take a taxi from the Saint Charles station. This would do away with any of the parking fees and the trouble of having to drive all the way. The charges for a one-way trip from the railway station to the stadium would be €20. However, these costs may end up going up to €50 if you find yourself in the middle of a traffic jam for a lengthy period.

By train or metro

Even though the Stadio Velodrome is not in the centre of Marseille, it is very easy to access, even by train or metro. For those travelling from the UK, the city of Marseille is easy to reach by train, with Eurostar connectivity available from Paris. The journey from London to Marseille will take around 7 hours, but it is one of the scenic routes on the high-speed train network.

You will get into Marseille city through the Saint Charles train station. Now, it is extremely easy to catch a metro that would take you to the station. Look for a southbound metro line, which will take you to Sainte Marguerite Dromel or Rond-Point du Prado. Do not fret about the choice between these two stations, as both are within walking distance of the stadium.

If you are trying to get to the stadium from the Old Port region, metro line 1 is the ideal choice, but you may have to make a change of stations at Castellane, where you will switch to line 2.

The frequency of TGV trains to different cities like Lyon and Paris makes it an attractive choice for fans. It is recommended to book train tickets several weeks in advance. You can also decide to fly to Marseille, and you will head over to the Marseille Provence airport.

At the time of writing, Stade Velodrome has a current capacity of 67,000.

If you want to immerse yourself in the stadium experience, consider taking one of the regular tours operated by the club. These tours are surprisingly affordable, with adult tickets priced at just €13. There is a reduced admission fee of €8, and children up to 6 years old can join the tour for free. Tickets for the tours are available directly at the stadium. However, please note that strollers cannot be accommodated during the tour.

It would take around 60 minutes to go through the entire stadium and the numerous sections that are otherwise off limits. For example, the tour covers the locker rooms, private boxes, press rooms, and the panoramic lounge, amongst other sections of the stadium. This is a guided tour where you will get to experience the entire history of Marseille.

However, the biggest disadvantage of this tour is that English is not the medium of conversation, as it is limited only to French. Apart from the stadium, the tour also focuses on the achievements and history of the club. Luckily, some of the sections are in English, so that you can get a sense of the action.

Even though there are language barriers on the tour, it is a great option if you are a football fan.

Stade Velodrome has consistently excelled in hosting sold-out concerts, welcoming some of the biggest artists in recent years.

23-24 May 2025 – Jul Concert

Jul held two major concerts at the Orange Velodrome on 23 and 24 May, drawing 73,128 fans on the first night and 73,158 on the second. It was a chart-topping event that reaffirmed his status as one of France’s biggest acts.

31 May 2025 – Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Bruce Springsteen brought his Land of Hope & Dreams Tour to the stadium, attracting an impressive 61,613 attendees for a powerful, high-energy performance.

6-7 June 2025 – Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s +−=÷× Tour made a two-day stop at the stadium, with around 71,500 fans in attendance. The show paid tribute to Sheeran’s mathematics-themed album era.

Upcoming Concerts

29-30 July 2026

Jul
will return to the Stade Velodrome in 2026, with another highly anticipated two-day show already generating excitement among fans.

1 July 2026 

Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny is set to perform at the stadium as part of his Debi Tirar Mas Fotos World Tour, which is expected to be one of the venue’s standout events of 2026.

Record Attendance

65,894 vs Paris Saint-Germain

26th February 2023

Average Attendance (Ligue 1)

• 2024-2025: 63, 407 (Ligue 1)
• 2023-2024: 61, 736 (Ligue 1)
• 2021-2022: 57,000
• 2019-2020: 52,805 (Ligue 1)
• 2018-2019: 53,012 (Ligue 1)
• 2017-2018: 46,616 (Ligue 1)

Paris Saint-Germain are the main rival of Marseille, with Lyon also considered a key rival in the French Ligue 1.

A clash with PSG is often known as Le Classique and is usually driven by regional and cultural aspects. The Marseille and PSG rivalry started way back in the 1990s.

On the other hand, a clash with Lyon is usually referred to as Choc des Olympiques, underscoring the historical dominance the two teams have had in French football. An intense encounter in 2009 that ended in a 5-5 draw remains memorable in the historical clashes between Marseille and Lyon.

Olympique Marseille cares for the disabled fans and visitors at Stade Velodrome. The stadium has accessible areas that allow for wheelchair movement and seats designed for the needs of disabled fans.

Special access points at the stadium include the Ganay side via impasse de la Ola and the Jean Bouin side via a lift that links Boulevard Michelet to the forecourt located on level 2. People accompanying disabled supporters are allowed to sit with them in the designated locations as long as they have purchased match tickets.

When using public transport to the venue, bus lines 19 and 83 are the most suitable for disabled visitors as they meet accessibility standards.

However, to qualify as a disabled fan on matchdays, one must present a disability card showing he or she is at least 80% incapacitated in some way. This is to ensure accessibility privileges at Orange Velodrome are not abused.

For more information, email the support desk via the email provided on the official website.

2025/26 Marseille tickets for matches at the Stade Velodrome can be picked up online on the club’s official website or offline at the ticketing office. A special ticket office is present at the stadium, while there are also several official boutiques available for this purpose.

One can also pick up tickets online. The pricing of tickets cannot be termed as expensive, but it is also not inexpensive. One can expect to pay around €30 to around €90 for a good seat in the main grandstand. The seats behind the goal are some of the best in terms of experience, as the hard-core fans can be found in this section. You can expect to pay around €50 for a seat in one of these sections.

The prices for the tickets would be slightly higher when it comes to the Europa League or Champions League games, while top matches like the Le Classique against PSG will also be expensive.

Apart from being more expensive, it can be extremely difficult to get tickets for the top matches due to the large fan base that is actively seeking entry to the game. Still, it is possible to get tickets by being prudent and booking well in advance. Typically, non-members will not get access to the tickets for top matches, but there should be no trouble for regular games.

The official match programme at Marseille stadium usually costs €5 or up to €15, depending on the type of match or opposition.

Fanzine

• Football Club of Marseille (free)