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, largely 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 overlook 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:

• Biancorossi per Tugiu
• Allez Monaco
• Et a Gauche
• Quand le pesage se met a chanter

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 are not too many seats that have a ‘bad’ view of the action, however, for the best view, you are going to want to be in either the Premieres Stand or the Honneurs. 

These two stands run along the side of the pitch, meaning the running track has less of a negative impact than 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:

• Trinity Monaco – 7 Rue du Portier, 98000 Monaco
• Ship and Castle – 42 Quai Jean-Charles Rey, 98000 Monaco
• Duke – 2 Rue du Portier, 98000 Monaco
• Slammers Bar – 6 Rue Suffren Reymond, 98000 Monaco
• Brasserie de Monaco – Rte de la Piscine, 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 as well as soft drinks and snacks. However, on European nights alcohol is not served inside the stadium.

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

The centre of Monaco is packed with an array of restaurants but unfortunately, finding a cheap option is far from easy. The area is considered one of the most up-market in Europe and therefore food rarely comes cheap. On the plus side, it is generally considered to be of excellent quality.

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

• Bella Vita – 21 Rue Princesse Caroline, 98000 Monaco
• Graziella – 42 Quai Jean-Charles Rey, 98000 Monaco
• Chez les Grecs – 5 Rue Basse, 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 and 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 just 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 do 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, opened in 1937, was Monaco’s home before the new version was built and had a capacity of 12,000.

The club do not always sell out the stadium so there are currently no plans to increase the capacity .

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

The stadium tours 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, 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:

Oceanic Museum of Monaco

Perched on the cliffs of Monaco-Ville, this museum is an iconic institution founded by Prince Albert I. It showcases marine sciences with large aquariums, displays of marine fauna, interactive exhibits, and dramatic views of the sea.

Oceanic Museum of Monaco is just a kilomete away from Stade Luois II. Visiting this place gives not just scientific insight but spectacular panoramas of Monaco and the Mediterranean.

Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Prince’s Palace of Monaco is only about 570 metres northeast of Monaco’s stadiun. It is the histotric official residence of Monaco’s ruling family.

Built in the 12th century, it occupies a commanding position atop the Rock of Monaco.

When you visit, you can witness the changing of the guard, explore grand state apartments, enjoy sweeping views over the port and coastline, and soak up centuries of history in the architecture.

Le Jardin Japonais (Japanese Garden)

It takes apprxomately 25 minutes to walk to Le Jardin Japonais from Stade Louis II.

Le Jardin Japonais is a peaceful garden that sits along Avenue Princesse Grace in the Larvotto district.

Designed by Japanese landscape architect Yasuo Beppe in 1994, it blends classic Japanese garden elements, such as zen-style garden, wooden bridges, a tea house, stone lanterns, ponds with koi, and waterfalls, with Mediterranean vegetation.

It is a soothing space to releax, meditate, or take a quite stroll among carefully arranged paths and calming water features.

Other nearby attractions

• Monte Carlo Casino
• Port Hercule de Monaco
• Monaco Grand Prix Route
• Salle Gaston Medecin

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.

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, making it more comfortable and spacious for fans, alongside a refurbishment to the bars inside the stadium and the modernisation of the toilets.

While the work is welcome considering the stadium has not 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 do not have the biggest fanbase in the world and often fail to sell out the Stade Louis II’s full capacity..

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

• 2024-2025: 9,360 (Ligue 1)
• 2023-2024: 7,520 (Ligue 1)
• 2022-2023: 7,095 (Ligue 1)
• 2021-2022: 5,908 (Ligue 1)

The Monaco ground has special facilities for disabled fans, who will be able to make use of wheelchair user spaces that are located on Level 3. 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 80% or more can purchase tickets at the stadium. There are accessible car parking spaces that can provide direct entry to the ground.

Ticket prices are reasonable at the Stade Louis II with the club keen to try and get more fans through the door and boost average attendances after a steady rise last season.

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: €22
• Category 3: €29
• Category 2: €40
• Category 1: €89