Stade Vélodrome
The roaring fortress where the Pharaons guard their blue and white soul.
The Stade Vélodrome (French pronunciation: [stad velɔdʁom]; Occitan: Estadi Vélodrome), known for sponsorship reasons as the CEPAC Vélodrome since July 2026, is a multi-purpose stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1 since it opened in 1937 and has been a venue in the 1938 and 1998 FIFA World Cups; the 1960, 1984 and 2016 editions of the UEFA European Championship and the 2007 and 2023 Rugby World Cup and football at the 2024 Summer Olympics. It is the second largest stadium in France, behind Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Paris) with a capacity of 67,394 spectators.
- Location
- Marseille, France
- Primary Tenant
- Olympique de Marseille
- Original Purpose
- Cycling Velodrome
- Notable Feature
- Steep, close-to-pitch stands
- Major Renovations
- 2016 (Euro 2016 preparation)
- Nickname
- Le Vélodrome
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The first-ever match to be played was between Marseille and Torino in 1937. Olympique de Marseille was long hostile to the Stade Vélodrome, calling it the 'stadium of the City Council'. For fans of the Olympians between the wars, the real home of OM was Stade de l'Huveaune, owned by Olympique de Marseille and partly financed by fans in the early 1920s. After World War II, however, Marseille no longer owned the Stadium Huveaune. Seeking support from the city, Chairman Marcel Leclerc had OM play at Huveaune from 1945 to 1960. The City Council then relented, and Olympique de Marseille moved to the Vélodrome. During the 1970s, OM shared the Stade with the Marseille XIII Rugby League. The record attendance for a club game before the 2014 renovation at the Stade Vélodrome was 58,897 in a UEFA Cup semi-final against Newcastle United in 2004. Since expansion to 67,394, the record attendance at the ground now stands at 66,312 for the match against Montpellier USC that occurred on 19 April 2025.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Vélodrome is thick with salt from the nearby Mediterranean and the scent of roasted chestnuts sold by vendors in the concourse. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the pitch, a low hum rises from the stands. Suddenly, a single drumbeat echoes from the Nord section, quickly joined by thousands more until the ground shakes beneath the feet of the players. A young striker steps onto the turf, looking up at the towering blue seats filled with faces painted in white and azure, feeling the weight of history pressing down before the first whistle blows.
Reader's Guide
The stadium's origins trace back to the early 20th century as a cycling track, reflecting Marseille's diverse sporting culture. In the mid-1930s, it was converted for football, becoming the permanent home of Olympique de Marseille and quickly establishing itself as a cauldron of passion. This period solidified the stadium's reputation as a place where history is made under the Mediterranean sun. Controversy occasionally shadowed the venue, including periods of financial struggle for the club that tested fan loyalty, yet the supporters never abandoned their home. The early 2010s saw a massive transformation project to prepare for Euro 2016, modernizing the structure while attempting to preserve its unique acoustic character. Today, the Vélodrome remains a defining myth of French football, representing an unbreakable bond between a city and its team. It stands as a testament to resilience, where every match is a battle for pride and every roar echoes through generations.
Did You Know?
- The Stade Vélodrome opened on 13 June 1937, when a friendly match was played between Olympique Marseille and Torino FC, ending 2–1 to Olympique Marseille.
- The stadium hosted the final draw for the 1998 World Cup on 4 December 1997, the first time the final draw was held in an outdoor venue.
- On 16 July 2009, during preparations for a Madonna concert, a 60-ton roof fell, leaving two dead and eight wounded.
- The 20th stage of the 2017 Tour de France, an individual time trial through the streets of Marseille, started and finished in the stadium.
- The four stands are named after athletes Jean Bouin and Gustave Ganay, Chevalier Roze, and supporter Patrice De Peretti (nicknamed 'Depe').