Stade Bollaert-Delelis

Visiting supporters at Lens matches can expect an amazing atmosphere filled with passionate fans. The stadium is known for its vibrant energy, chants, and cheers. It’s an unforgettable experience that truly showcases the love for the team. The fans create a lively environment that adds to the excitement of the game.

Arsenal fans will be attending the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the autumn of 2023 for a UEFA Champions League fixture.

The Stade Felix-Bollaert is situated less than 1km from the centre of Lens, with the walk likely to take the average person well under 15 minutes.

If you aren’t up for walking, the Stade Bollaert is blessed with thousands of car park spaces north-east of the pitch ensuring that driving to the stadium is made convenient for fans.

The train is one of the best methods of transport to take when visiting the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. The main railway station of the city, the Gare de Lens is located less than half a kilometre south-west of Stade Bollaert, and leaves you with just a short walk to the stadium

To purchase RC Lens tickets, you can buy them through the typical channels such as online or in person at the ticket office at the stadium. There are also various ticket points around the city where you can buy matchday tickets.

Ticket prices can vary, depending on what team RC Lens are playing. But on average, a ticket to see a Ligue 1 game at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis ranges between €20-€50.

There are no stadium tours available for tourists or football fans. The stadium’s club shop is open between Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00am to 12.00pm and from 1.00pm to 6.30pm.

Mondays and Sundays: Closed except on matchdays.

After COVID restrictions were lifted, RC Lens programmes continued to become available online and can be purchased and downloaded that way.

There is a designated section for disabled fans. Movement around the stadium is made accessible with various lifts and ramps making situated around the stadium.

RC Lens fixture list

RC Lens biggest rivalry is against OSC Lille in the Derby de Nord (The Northern Derby).

Average Attendance: 28,996

Highest Attendance: 48,912 vs Marseille (15 February 1992)

The ground being located just a few minutes away from Lens City Centre means there are plenty of choices for fans to grab a drink or go for food.

If you’re looking for a sports-heavy, atmospheric Irish pub, you’ll find one at ‘The Irish Tavern’ on Avenue Rauol Briquet. It’s got a varied and big beer list and decent food.

‘La Mi-Temps’ is an actual sports bar on Route de Bethune. And ‘Cubana Bar’ is another nice place in the popular Boulevard Basly area of Lens.

adrianjohnward:

“Lens pride themselves on their fervent support, and seeing (and hearing) the Marek stand in full swing is one of the great sights in football. A steep, imposing stadium, with four separate (and distinctly identifiable) stands, the atmosphere generated, even at lesser attended fixtures, is loud, proud and enjoyable. Add in the vibrant ‘sang et or’ (blood and gold) colours of the kit, and it all adds up to a memorable stadium experience.”

The Stade Bollaert-Delelis has been home to RC Lens since 1933, with one exception.

In the 2014/15 season, Lens had to play elsewhere due to renovation work, itself a result of the upcoming Euro 2016, held in France. The RC Lens stadium was one of the host grounds, and was given a make-over as a result.

As for the name, that’s had a change, too. The ground was initially called the Stade Félix-Bollaert, named after the man whose mining company brought football to Lens. One part of this name remains, but with the addition of ‘Delelis’ after André Delelis, an old mayor of the city of Lens who played a crucial role in saving the ground. His name was added upon his 2012 death.