Stade Louis II

A trip to the Stade Louis II is one that you won’t want to miss out on if your team are playing Monaco due to the stunning location of the stadium in the heart of the city. 

After enjoying a drink and a bit to eat overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the stadium itself may feel like a downgrade, but it has its merits.

The away end is situated in the southernmost corner of the stadium between the Premier Tribune and Populaires Stands. The view from this area is good as it only spans a single tier, however, it’s impossible to ignore the running track that wraps around the pitch. 

This track naturally makes supporters feel disconnected from the action and makes it difficult for fans behind each goal to generate an atmosphere. On a more positive note, there are no perspex screens in front of the away end, unlike many stadiums in Europe. 

For away fans visiting the stadium for domestic matches, alcohol is available on the concourses. However, fans visiting for European matches won’t be afforded this luxury.

AS Monaco have a loud and passionate fanbase. If you are visiting the Stade Louis II then you can expect to hear the following chants throughout the match:

• Et a Gauche
• Allez Monaco
• Biancorossi per Tugiu

Tifos and banners are seen relatively frequently at the Stade Louis II, with Monaco’s ultras, the UM 94, keen to ensure the stadium is colourful and loud in equal measure. Some of the tifos seen over the years include:

100 years celebration

In August 2024, Monaco celebrated turning 100 and the fans were keen to mark the occasion with a giant tifo at the Stade Louis II.

Monaco’s fans tifos to celebrate 100 years of history 😍❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/vwbRPbhy8k

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 28, 2024

Monaco ultras

One tifo that is frequently seen at the stadium is the standard Monaco Ultras banner. This banner is unfurled in the Pesages Stand at the northern end of the stadium – the part of the stadium where the UM 94 are based.

MUNEGU – Nantes (30 ans) – Partie 9 pic.twitter.com/vjegCZOzL7

— Ultras Monaco 1994 (@ULTRASMONACO94) May 27, 2024

The Stade Louis II is a single-tiered stadium which means there aren’t too many seats with a ‘bad’ view of the action, however, for the best view, you are going to want to be in either the Honneurs Stand or the Premieres Stand. 

These two stands run alongside the side of the pitch which means the running track doesn’t have as big an impact as it does for those fans at either end of the pitch.

If your main priority is atmosphere, then you should try and get tickets in the Pesages Stand and stand alongside the ultras. 

Stadium map

For pre-match drinks, fans have the whole at Monaco at their disposal due to the location of the Stade Louis II. Some of the best pubs and bars near to the stadium include:

• Duke – 2 Rue du Portier, 98000 Monaco
• Trinity Monaco – 7 Rue du Portier, 98000 Monaco
• Ship and Castle – 42 Quai Jean-Charles Rey, 98000 Monaco

It’s worth noting that Monaco is a very expensive part of France so expect to pay more than you usually do for an alcoholic beverage.

Before domestic matches at the Stade Louis II, alcohol is served on the kiosks in the concourse in addition to the soft drinks and snacks. However, on European nights no alcohol is served inside the stadium.

The snacks available to purchase include popcorn and chocolate but no hot food is on offer so grab something before you go into the stadium if you are hungry.

The centre of Monaco is packed with different restaurants but sadly, finding a cheap option isn’t going to be easy. The area is considered one of the most up-market areas in Europe and therefore food doesn’t come cheap. On the plus side, the food is generally excellent.

Three restaurants that are on the cheaper side (by Monaco’s standards) and are within walking distance of the Stade Louis II include:

• Chez les Grecs – 5 Rue Basse, 98000 Monaco
• Graziella – 42 Quai Jean-Charles Rey, 98000 Monaco
• Bella Vita – 21 Rue Princesse Caroline, 98000 Monaco

By car

The stadium can be accessed from Italy or France using the A8 motorway. The E80 road hugs the Mediterranean Sea and offers a scenic route to the stadium. The ground is in a convenient location which has more than 40 car parks nearby. The ground also has its own car park.

By train

The closest railway station to the Stade Louis II is Monaco-Monte Carlo train station. This station is on lines that go through Nice and Italy so most fans in the surrounding area will be able to use this method of transport to get to the stadium. From the station, the Stade Louis II is a 15-minute walk away.

By bus

If you don’t want to walk to the stadium from the centre of Monaco then you can use the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco. These buses serve the entire city and lines four and six have a stop right outside the stadium.

By helicopter

Well, we are talking about Monaco here so why, not? There is a helipad next door to the Stade Louis II so if you have cash to burn then this is one way of travelling to the match in style.

The Stade Louis II has a current capacity of 18,523 and this has stayed the same since it first opened in 1985. The original Stade Louis II, which opened in 1937 and was Monaco’s home before the new version was built, has a capacity of 12,000.

The club don’t always sell out the stadium so there are no plans to increase the capacity at this stage.

All visitors will be provided with the option to tour the stadium. The entry prices for an adult is set at €5.20 whereas a reduced entry price – for children under 12 years, or individuals above 65, or groups of more than 10 – will be applicable at €2.60.

The stadium tours will take place at specific times of the day from Monday to Friday. There are five slots applicable from 11:30 AM to 5 PM.

During the off-season months, the visitors are allowed from Tuesday to Saturday. The number of slots available are also higher. These tours will cover every aspect of the ground like the seating infrastructure, trophies, and more.

Monaco has several tourist spots that are worth visiting before or after a football match and due to its small size, it’s very easy to get everything in on one day. Some of the best things to do in Monaco include:

• Visiting the Princes’ Palace
• Trying your luck at the Monte Carlo Casino
• Learning about aquatic wildlife at the Oceanographic Museum
• Taking a stroll around the stunning Port Hercule de Monaco
• Driving around the famous Monaco Grand Prix route

The original Stade Louis II

The Stade Louis II when it opened in 1985

AS Monaco first started playing matches at the current version of the Stade Louis II in 1985 after the original stadium was deemed inadequate. The new Stade Louis II has remained largely the same ever since although renovation work is currently ongoing to modernise it.

The stadium was named after Prince Louis II, the ruler of Monaco when the original version was built. Even though he had passed away by the time the new stadium was built in the 1980s, the club decided to keep the name in honour of him. The new stadium was inaugurated by Prince Rainer III, Prince Louis’ grandson, back in 1985.

Both the original and new stadium have been multipurpose with a running track featuring in both versions. The original stadium played host to world boxing title fights, helping to build on the long-standing relationship between the sport and the city of Monaco and the new stadium has followed suit.

In addition to boxing events, the Stade Louis II has hosted many different sporting events thanks in large to the underground, indoor facility beneath the football pitch. Basketball, volleyball, handball, judo, fencing, weightlifting and gymnastics all regularly take place here.

The 2007 Games of the Small State of Europe was held at the stadium and it is set to host this event again in 2027.

As briefly mentioned earlier, the Stade Louis II is currently undergoing maintenance work to modernise the stadium. This work will take place in three phases between 2025 and 2027 with a focus on upgrading the seating in the stadium to make it more comfortable and spacious for fans, a refurbishment to the bars inside the stadium and the modernisation of the toilets.

While the work is welcome considering the stadium hasn’t been touched in 40 years, the club have decided not to expand the capacity and perhaps for good reason. While Monaco’s support is loud they don’t have the biggest fanbase in the world.

Monaco are aiming for all the work to be completed in time for the 2027 Games of the Small State of Europe.

Record Attendance

AS Monaco vs UC Sampdoria in 1990

20,000

Average Attendances

• 2023-2024: 7,520 (Ligue 1)
• 2022-2023: 7,095 (Ligue 1)
• 2021-2022: 5,908 (Ligue 1)

Ticket prices are very reasonable at the Stade Louis II with the club keen to try and get more fans through the door to boost the average attendance.

Prices generally vary depending on the opposition and competition but for a standard Ligue 1 fixture, the prices are as follows for adults:

• Family Stand: €10
• Category 5: €15
• Category 4: €30
• Category 3: €45
• Category 2: €59
• Category 1: €89

The Monaco ground has special facilities for disabled fans, who will be able to make use of wheelchair user spaces that are located in the Level 3. A companion seating is also provided for these fans. These spaces are protected from the elements and the view is unobstructed. Anyone with a disability of more than 80% can purchase tickets at the stadium. There are accessible parking spaces that can provide direct entry to the ground.