Tribune Est
The eastern stand of the Vélodrome bowl.
The Tribune Est is one of the four named stands in the Stade Vélodrome, the historic home of Olympique de Marseille. While the source does not provide specific details about this stand's construction or unique features, it is part of a stadium that opened on 13 June 1937 and has undergone multiple renovations, including a major expansion completed in summer 2014 that increased capacity to 67,394. The stand contributes to the overall structure of a venue that has hosted World Cups, European Championships, and Rugby World Cups, and is known for its passionate atmosphere during OM matches.
- Stadium
- Stade Vélodrome
- Club Affiliation
- Olympique de Marseille
- Location
- Marseille, France
- Status
- Active
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The Stade Vélodrome's four stands are named after athletes (runner Jean Bouin and 1920s cyclist Gustave Ganay), a historical figure of the 1720 plague epidemic (Chevalier Roze), and a popular Olympique de Marseille supporter (Patrice De Peretti, nicknamed "Depe", who died suddenly in July 2000). The Tribune Est is one of these stands, though the source does not specify which name it carries. The stadium itself has a rich history: the first-ever match was played between Marseille and Torino in 1937, and the venue has been home to OM since it opened. The cycling track that gave the stadium its name was removed altogether once Bernard Tapie was appointed president of OM in 1985, bringing capacity up to 48,000. The stand has witnessed record attendances, including 58,897 for a UEFA Cup semi-final against Newcastle United in 2004 before the 2014 renovation, and 66,312 for the match against Montpellier USC on 19 April 2025 after expansion.
In Their Own Story
The atmosphere in the Tribune Est is part of the broader Vélodrome experience. The stadium has been widely criticized and unloved by the Marseillais for its architecture (no roof, exposure to strong mistral winds and poor acoustics), but since 2003 several projects have modernized and enlarged it. The 2011-2014 renovation added a roof and increased capacity from 60,031 to 67,000, making it a UEFA Elite Stadium. From the Tribune Est, fans have witnessed historic moments: France's first match against South Africa in the 1998 World Cup, the quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands, and the semifinal between Brazil and the Netherlands. The stand also saw rugby history, including the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final between Australia and England which holds the overall attendance record with 59,120 spectators, and the 2022 European Rugby Champions Cup Final between La Rochelle and Leinster in front of 59,682 spectators.
Reader's Guide
The Tribune Est is one of the four stands in the Stade Vélodrome, located in the southern part of Marseille, four kilometres from the Old Port, in the neighbourhoods of Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Giniez. The stadium is bound to the south by the Huveaune river and to the north by the Parc Chanot, with Boulevard Michelet to its west and the Marseille Palais des Sports and Delort stadium to its east. The Vélodrome is serviced by the bus and metro networks of the Régie des transports de Marseille, with two metro stations serving the stadium. The stand offers views of the pitch that has hosted football and rugby matches, including Top 14 fixtures for RC Toulon and France national rugby union team games. The stadium's capacity of 67,394 makes it the second largest in France behind Stade de France. Visitors should note that the stadium has hosted major events like the 2024 Summer Olympics football matches and the 2024 Top 14 Final.
Did You Know?
- The Stade Vélodrome opened on 13 June 1937 with a friendly match between Olympique Marseille and Torino FC, which ended 2–1 to Olympique Marseille.
- The record attendance at the ground since expansion to 67,394 stands at 66,312 for the match against Montpellier USC on 19 April 2025.
- On 16 July 2009, during preparations for a Madonna concert, a 60-ton roof fell, leaving two dead and eight wounded.
- The stadium became the first in Europe to have hosted three European Championship semi-finals after France's hosting of the tournament in 1960, 1984, and 2016.
- The 20th stage of the 2017 Tour de France, an individual time trial through the streets of Marseille, started and finished in the stadium.