The Stade Velodrome is the home of Olympique de Marseille, a 67,000-seat arena that is the largest club stadium in France and one of the most passionate grounds in Europe. Demand for Velodrome tickets is driven by the Ligue 1 matches of Marseille, above all Le Classique against Paris Saint-Germain, the fiercest rivalry in French football, and by the European nights the ground stages, with the club returning to the Europa League for the 2026-27 season. Opened in 1937 and rebuilt over the years, with a striking wave roof added for Euro 2016, the ground is famous for the noise of its two great end stands, the Virage Nord and the Virage Sud, where the ultras of Marseille roar the side on. 1BoxOffice is a verified secondary marketplace established in 2006, with seat-level detail at checkout and a 150% money-back guarantee if a ticket fails to grant entry on matchday.
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This guide is written for the supporter making the trip, not the browser. It covers the metro ride from the centre of Marseille to the ground, how the four stands are arranged and where the atmosphere is loudest, the bag rules and the digital ticketing, the food of the city and the Vieux-Port, the accessibility of the stadium and the story of the ground and the club that has given France its only European Cup. By the end you should know how a matchday at the Velodrome runs, whether you are watching Le Classique or a European night.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stade Velodrome, the CEPAC Velodrome from 2026-27 |
| Location | Boulevard Michelet, southern Marseille, France |
| Capacity | 67,394, the largest club ground in France |
| Opened | 1937 |
| Home Club | Olympique de Marseille |
| Surface | Grass |
| Stands | Ganay, Jean Bouin, Virage Nord, Virage Sud |
| Record Attendance | 65,252, Marseille v PSG, 2017 |
| Nearest Metro | Rond-Point du Prado, Sainte-Marguerite Dromel |
| Roof | Wave roof added for Euro 2016, covers the seats |
The Stade Velodrome sits in the south of Marseille, on Boulevard Michelet in the eighth arrondissement, a few kilometres from the Vieux-Port and the centre of the city, and it is well served by the Marseille Metro and the bus network. The ground has little parking for supporters, so most arrive by metro or on foot, and the streets around the stadium are busy and tightly managed on matchday, especially for a big game. Plan your route to one of the two nearby metro stations and allow extra time before Le Classique or a European night, as the approach to the ground gets crowded in the hour before kick-off.
The Marseille Metro line 2 is the simplest way to the ground, with the stations Rond-Point du Prado and Sainte-Marguerite Dromel both within walking distance of the stadium, a short ride from the centre of the city and the Vieux-Port. Rond-Point du Prado is the busier of the two on matchday, around a ten-minute walk from the ground down the boulevard, so the crowd is spread across the two stations. Buy a ticket or use a travel pass for the metro, and check the current fares and times, as the metro is the main route to the stadium and the platforms fill up before a big match.
Marseille Provence Airport lies around twenty-five kilometres north-west of the city, connected to the centre by a shuttle bus to the main railway station at Saint-Charles, from where the metro runs down towards the ground. International visitors flying in can be at the stadium within around an hour and a half of landing, changing from the airport shuttle to the metro in the centre. A taxi from the airport is quicker but costly, so the shuttle and the metro are the usual choice into the city and out to the ground.
Marseille has an extensive bus network that serves the area around the stadium, with routes running down towards the ground from the centre and the neighbourhoods of the city, so the bus is another option paid for with the same ticketing as the metro. The stops near the ground are a short walk from the stadium. Traffic in southern Marseille is heavy before and after a match, so the metro is usually quicker than the bus on a busy matchday, but the bus is a useful alternative from parts of the city not on the metro line.
Driving to the ground is not recommended, as there is little parking for supporters at the stadium and the streets of southern Marseille are congested and tightly controlled on matchday. The ground sits off Boulevard Michelet, reachable from the main roads into the city, but the traffic around the stadium is heavy for two hours before and after a match. Supporters who must drive are better off parking further out near a metro station and finishing the journey by the metro, rather than trying to park near the ground where spaces are scarce.
From the Rond-Point du Prado metro station the walk to the ground is around ten minutes down the boulevard, and from Sainte-Marguerite Dromel it is a similar distance, so the final approach on foot is short for supporters using the metro. From the Vieux-Port and the centre the ground is a few kilometres to the south, a walk of around forty-five minutes to an hour that some enjoy on a fine day but which is longer than most will want before a match. For most visitors the metro to one of the two stations and the short walk to the ground is the sensible plan.
Parking at the Stade Velodrome is limited, with little dedicated parking for supporters at the ground and the surrounding streets congested and controlled on matchday, so the sensible approach is to arrive by metro rather than by car. There is some paid parking in the area and in the city, but the spaces near the stadium fill quickly and the roads are busy for a big match. Supporters driving from outside the city are best off parking near a metro station further out and taking the metro down to the ground, which delivers them close to the stadium and avoids the matchday traffic in southern Marseille.
The Stade Velodrome is a steep, single-tier bowl in effect, a rebuilt ground that wraps the crowd tightly around the pitch under a striking wave roof, and it is one of the loudest stadiums in Europe on a big night. The four stands are the two long side stands, the Tribune Ganay and the Tribune Jean Bouin, and the two great end stands behind the goals, the Virage Nord and the Virage Sud, which are the home of the ultras and the heart of the atmosphere. Away supporters are given a section in a corner of the ground. The choice of stand comes down to atmosphere, view and price, as the steep, covered bowl keeps every seat close to the pitch and sheltered from the sun and the rain.
The two long side stands, the Tribune Ganay and the Tribune Jean Bouin, run the length of the pitch and hold the main seating along with the premium and hospitality areas, giving the best side-on view for reading the game. The Jean Bouin side holds much of the hospitality and the media, while the Ganay opposite offers a similar clear view across the pitch, both under the cover of the roof. For a first visit or a clear tactical view of a Marseille match, a central seat in one of the two side stands is the safe pick, with the noise of the virages carrying across the bowl.
The two end stands behind the goals, the Virage Nord and the Virage Sud, are the home of the famous ultras of Marseille and the beating heart of the ground, steep walls of noise, flags and colour that lead the singing throughout the match. The Virage Sud, home of the South Winners and the Commando Ultra, and the Virage Nord, home of the Yankee and the other groups, are where the atmosphere is at its most intense, so they are the pick for supporters who want the full Marseille matchday over a tactical view. For Le Classique or a European night, the virages are among the loudest ends in European football.
Visiting supporters are normally housed in the lower tier of a corner of the ground, between the Virage Nord and the Tribune Ganay, in the section set aside for away fans, reached by its own entrance and route. The allocation varies by fixture, and for the highest-security matches, above all Le Classique against Paris Saint-Germain, the French authorities sometimes restrict or ban the travelling support altogether, so away fans should check the arrangements for the specific game well before travelling. Visiting supporters should buy the correct section for their team and follow the guidance issued for the match. The table below matches a section to what you want from the day.
| Priority | Recommended Sections |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | The Virage Nord or Virage Sud behind the goals |
| Tactical overview | The central rows of the Ganay or Jean Bouin |
| Premium and comfort | The Tribune Jean Bouin |
| Close to pitch | The front rows of the side stands |
| Budget-friendly | The upper rows of the virages |
| Away fans | The visitors' corner by the Virage Nord |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair positions (request in advance) |
Marseille has a warm Mediterranean climate, one of the sunniest cities in France, with hot summers and mild winters, so a match at the Velodrome is more likely to be played in fine weather than in rain, though the mistral wind that blows through the region can make an evening feel colder. The wave roof added for Euro 2016 covers the seats, so the crowd is sheltered from the sun and the occasional shower, though it does not cover the pitch. For a summer or early-season match bring sun protection for a day game, while for a winter evening a warm layer is sensible, as the mistral can be sharp. The covered bowl keeps supporters comfortable in most conditions on the Mediterranean coast.
The Stade Velodrome runs a strict security policy in line with the enhanced measures at French grounds, with searches on entry, so the sensible approach is to travel as light as possible. Large bags and rucksacks are refused, and for higher-security matches bags may be barred altogether, with only small bags admitted subject to search, and there is no left-luggage service at the ground. Standard prohibited items apply, including bottles, cans, outside alcohol, pyrotechnics and flares, and the checks are strict for a big match such as Le Classique or a European night. Check the guidance for your specific fixture before you travel, as the arrangements can be tighter for the biggest matches, and arrive early to clear the search.
Marseille is a vibrant Mediterranean port city with a rich food culture, so the pleasures of the table are a big part of any trip, from the kiosks around the ground to the bars and restaurants of the Vieux-Port and the city centre a short metro ride away. The area around the stadium is busy with supporters before a match.
The streets around the Stade Velodrome hold bars, cafes and food kiosks that fill with supporters before a match, a lively build-up in a football-mad city, though the choice near the ground is more everyday than the full scene of the centre. Many supporters gather in the bars along the boulevard and the surrounding area before heading into the stadium. For a big match the area fills early, so arrive in good time to soak up the atmosphere of a Marseille matchday.
A short metro ride away, the Vieux-Port and the centre of Marseille offer the full choice of a great Mediterranean city, from the fish restaurants and the bouillabaisse of the old port to the bars and bistros of the surrounding streets, so many supporters combine the match with a meal or a drink in the city. The Vieux-Port, the Panier quarter and the seafront are a natural place to spend the hours before or after a game. A matchday at the Velodrome pairs the football with one of the most characterful cities in France.
Inside the stadium the kiosks serve the traditional matchday fare of snacks, sandwiches and drinks to keep the crowd going through the game. The fuller choice is in the city and around the Vieux-Port, so for a proper meal eat in the centre before or after the match and use the kiosks inside the ground for a quick bite in the classic football manner. Expect queues at the kiosks at half time for a big match, so a snack before kick-off or a meal in the city beforehand is the wiser plan.
Gates at the Stade Velodrome open ahead of kick-off to let the crowd filter in, and for a big match the entrances get busy in the last hour with the enhanced security checks, so aim to arrive in good time rather than joining the final rush. Tickets for Marseille matches are typically issued as digital or mobile tickets, scanned at the turnstile from your phone, so load the ticket before you travel and keep your phone charged, and a screenshot may not scan, so use the live mobile ticket where it is issued. Have the ticket and any required identification ready as you approach your stand, and know your entrance, as the correct gate saves a long walk around the large bowl. Check the delivery method and the entry requirements with your specific match.
Leaving the Stade Velodrome takes a little patience, as tens of thousands of supporters head for the two nearby metro stations at once, but the central location keeps the journey back into the city short.
The metro stations at Rond-Point du Prado and Sainte-Marguerite Dromel carry the bulk of the crowd back into the city after the match, with the two stations spreading the load, so most supporters are away within half an hour once the crush clears. The platforms are busy straight after the final whistle, with the crowd managed by stewards, so expect a queue to board. If you can wait a short while, the queues ease and the ride back into the centre and towards the Vieux-Port is quick and simple on the metro.
Some supporters walk back towards the centre or to a quieter street before taking the metro or a taxi, while taxis and ride apps are available in Marseille but slow to move through the matchday traffic in the south of the city. For those staying near the ground, a walk back to a hotel is an easy option. For most, the metro from one of the two nearby stations is quicker and cheaper than a taxi back into the centre after the match.
The simplest way to avoid the worst of the post-match crush is to let the first wave of the crowd go, perhaps with a drink in one of the bars around the ground, before heading down to the metro. A short wait turns a packed platform into an easy ride back into the city. Because the metro runs frequently and two stations serve the ground, the crowds clear before long, so a little patience makes the trip back into Marseille smooth and simple.
The Stade Velodrome opened in 1937 and has been the home of Olympique de Marseille ever since, growing over the decades from an athletics and cycling arena, which gave it its name, into the largest club stadium in France. It was rebuilt and expanded for the 1998 World Cup, when it staged a semi-final, and again for Euro 2016, when the striking wave roof was added to cover the seats and bring the ground up to the top UEFA standard. The record attendance of 65,252 was set against Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, a reminder that the fiercest match the ground stages is Le Classique against the capital club.
Marseille are one of the grand clubs of French football, and in 1993 they became the only French side to win the European Cup, beating AC Milan in the final, the crowning moment of the club's history. The Velodrome has been the stage for the great nights of that story and for the passion of the Marseille support, whose ultras in the Virage Nord and the Virage Sud give the ground its reputation as one of the most intense in Europe. The visits of the biggest clubs of the continent in European competition, followed through the Europa League tickets and the other European listings, bring the great names to the Mediterranean coast.
Beyond football, the ground has staged the Rugby World Cup in 2007 and 2023, matches at Euro 2016, the football of the 2024 Olympic Games and sold-out concerts, making it one of the busiest and most storied venues in France. From 1937 to the modern day, the Velodrome has stood at the heart of the sporting life of Marseille, a ground defined by the noise and the colour of its support. From the 2026-27 season the stadium carries the name CEPAC Velodrome under a new naming-rights deal, having previously been known as the Orange Velodrome.
The stadium's history, verified against contemporary records, is defined by the matches of Marseille and the great events it has staged. The record crowd of 65,252 watched Marseille face Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. The ground hosted a semi-final of the 1998 World Cup and matches at Euro 2016, along with the Rugby World Cups of 2007 and 2023 and the football of the 2024 Olympic Games. Above all, the Velodrome has been the home of the Marseille support through the club's rise to become, in 1993, the only French side to win the European Cup, and Le Classique against Paris Saint-Germain remains the fiercest fixture the ground sees each season.
The Stade Velodrome is a modern ground following its rebuild for Euro 2016, so its future is about use and naming rather than any wholesale reconstruction, and it remains the largest club stadium in France and the home of Olympique de Marseille. From the 2026-27 season the ground carries the name CEPAC Velodrome under a naming-rights deal reported to run for several years, a change from the previous Orange naming, and the stadium continues to stage Ligue 1, European football, rugby and concerts through the year. For the supporter planning a trip, the ground is already one of the finest and most atmospheric in the country, and the coming years are set to bring more big matches and events rather than any change to the stadium itself. Treat any further redevelopment claim as subject to confirmation until firm plans are announced.
The Stade Velodrome is a modern ground that meets the top UEFA standard, so it offers accessible provision with wheelchair-user positions and step-free access to the relevant areas, though supporters requiring accessible seating should contact the club well before the match to confirm the available spaces, the companion ticket policy and the best entrance and route. The two metro stations near the ground and the covered concourses make reaching and moving around the stadium manageable, and a taxi offers a door-to-door option to the boulevard for supporters with access requirements. Because provision and the accessible route can vary by fixture and competition, especially for a high-security match, confirm the specific arrangements with the club in advance of your visit.
The fixtures that move Velodrome tickets fastest are Le Classique and the visits of the other big clubs. The match against Paris Saint-Germain is the hardest ticket of the season and the most expensive, and the home fixture sits on the Marseille vs PSG page, with the visiting side followed through the Paris Saint-Germain tickets listings. The visits of clubs such as Monaco draw strong demand too, with the Marseille vs Monaco fixture among the listings, while the full home programme sits on the Marseille tickets page and across the wider Ligue 1 tickets fixtures. Mid-table league matches are the most accessible and the quietest, while Le Classique and the European nights sell out fastest. Secondary-market prices move with demand, so treat any figure as indicative rather than fixed and buy early for the biggest fixtures.
1BoxOffice is a verified secondary marketplace that has operated since 2006, showing seat-level detail before you pay and backing every order with a 150% money-back guarantee if a ticket fails to grant entry on matchday. The eight steps below cover the process from finding a fixture to tracking your order.
Step1
Find the fixture
Go to the Velodrome listing on 1BoxOffice and select the match you want. Each fixture shows the available areas and current pricing before you commit to a seat.
Step2
Check the seat detail
Use the area and price filters to compare sections. Seat location is shown against the venue layout, so you can weigh a place in the noisy Virage Sud against a calmer side-stand seat in the Ganay before deciding.
Step3
Confirm the supporter section
Make sure the block matches who you are travelling with. Home and away areas are listed separately, with the visiting support in the corner by the Virage Nord, so check you are in the right section for your team.
Step4
Review before checkout
Check the delivery method and the kick-off time against your travel plans. Ligue 1 kick-off times and dates can shift for television, so verify the details before you book flights or a hotel for a trip to Marseille.
Step5
Create your account
First-time buyers should create an account to complete checkout and receive the ticket. Returning customers simply log in. An account keeps your order and delivery details in one place.
Step6
Complete payment
All major credit and debit cards are accepted. The 150% money-back guarantee applies automatically to every order if the ticket fails to grant entry on matchday.
Step7
Receive your ticket
Tickets are typically issued as digital or mobile tickets. Follow the delivery instructions supplied with your order and load the ticket ready to scan at the turnstile, and remember that a screenshot may not scan.
Step8
Track your order
Follow delivery status and manage your booking through track order. Tickets arrive ahead of the match so you can travel with everything ready.
The Stade Velodrome offers international visitors one of the great matchday experiences in Europe, an intense, colourful ground in a vibrant Mediterranean port city. Fly into Marseille Provence Airport and take the shuttle to the main station and the metro down towards the ground, or arrive by the fast train from Paris and across France to Marseille Saint-Charles. Base yourself near the Vieux-Port or the centre, on the metro line for the easiest journey to the match, and remember that Marseille is a warm, sunny city, so pack light clothing for a summer or early-season game and a layer for the mistral in winter. France runs largely on card and contactless payment, so a card covers the transport, the ground and the city.
With Marseille and the Provence coast on the doorstep, many supporters build a longer trip around the match. If you are lining up other fixtures, the football teams directory, the wider football tickets hub, the football tournaments calendar and the venues tickets listings show what else is on. Around Marseille itself, the Vieux-Port, the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde above the city, the Calanques along the coast and the islands off the port all reward a matchday trip, so a game at the Velodrome pairs easily with a few days on the Mediterranean.
The Stade Velodrome holds 67,394, the largest club stadium in France and one of the biggest in the country. It is a steep, covered bowl that wraps the crowd around the pitch, made up of the Ganay and Jean Bouin side stands and the Virage Nord and Virage Sud end stands. Opened in 1937 and rebuilt for Euro 2016 with a wave roof, it is the home of Olympique de Marseille.
The simplest way is the Marseille Metro line 2 to Rond-Point du Prado or Sainte-Marguerite Dromel, both within walking distance of the ground and a short ride from the centre and the Vieux-Port. Buses also serve the area, and the ground is a few kilometres south of the centre. Parking is limited, so the metro is the best way to the stadium for almost every supporter.
Two stations on the Marseille Metro line 2 serve the ground, Rond-Point du Prado and Sainte-Marguerite Dromel, both within walking distance of the stadium. Rond-Point du Prado is the busier of the two on matchday, around a ten-minute walk down the boulevard. Having two stations spreads the crowd, which helps both before and after the match.
Parking is limited, with little dedicated parking for supporters at the stadium and the surrounding streets congested and controlled on matchday. There is some paid parking in the area and the city, but the spaces fill quickly. Supporters are best off arriving by metro, or parking near a metro station further out and taking the metro down to the ground, rather than driving into the busy south of the city.
For most league fixtures tickets go on general sale, but the biggest matches, above all Le Classique against Paris Saint-Germain and the European nights, sell out fast and can go to members first. A verified secondary marketplace is a realistic route to the busiest fixtures, with seat detail shown before you pay, when the club channels have sold out.
Travel light, as French grounds run enhanced security and large bags and rucksacks are refused, with only small bags admitted subject to search and no left-luggage service at the ground. For higher-security matches bags may be barred altogether. Bottles, cans, outside alcohol, pyrotechnics and flares are prohibited. Check the guidance for your specific match, as the arrangements can be tighter for Le Classique or a European night.
The two end stands, the Virage Nord and the Virage Sud, are the home of the famous ultras of Marseille and the loudest parts of the ground, steep walls of noise, flags and colour that lead the singing. They are the pick for supporters who want the full Marseille matchday. The Ganay and Jean Bouin side stands offer a calmer, clearer view of the game, with the noise of the virages carrying across the bowl.
Away supporters are normally housed in the lower tier of a corner of the ground, between the Virage Nord and the Tribune Ganay, in the section set aside for visiting fans. For the highest-security matches, above all Le Classique against Paris Saint-Germain, the authorities sometimes restrict or ban the travelling support, so away fans should check the arrangements for the specific match well before travelling.
Yes. As a modern ground meeting the top UEFA standard, the stadium has wheelchair-user positions and step-free access to the relevant areas. Contact the club well before the match to confirm the available spaces, the companion ticket policy and the best entrance and route, as provision can vary by fixture. The two metro stations near the ground make access manageable, and a taxi offers a door-to-door option to the boulevard.
Gates open ahead of kick-off to let the crowd in, and for a big match the entrances get busy in the last hour with the enhanced security checks, so aim to arrive in good time. Know your stand and entrance, as the correct gate saves a long walk around the large bowl. The precise opening time is confirmed with your ticket and the match guidance, so check it for your specific fixture.
Inside the ground the kiosks serve snacks, sandwiches and drinks. The streets around the stadium have bars and kiosks that fill before a match, while the fuller choice is in the centre and around the Vieux-Port, a short metro ride away, where the restaurants serve the food of Marseille and the Mediterranean, from bouillabaisse to fresh fish. For a proper meal, eat in the city before or after the match.
Le Classique is the match between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, the fiercest rivalry in French football, driven by the rivalry between France's two biggest cities and clubs. It is the hardest ticket of the season at the Velodrome and the most intense atmosphere, and for the highest-security matches the away support can be restricted or banned. The record crowd of 65,252 was set for this fixture in 2017.
Marseille return to the Europa League for the 2026-27 season after finishing fifth in Ligue 1 in 2025-26, so the ground stages Europa League nights along with the Ligue 1 fixtures. Marseille are one of the grand clubs of Europe, the only French side to win the European Cup, in 1993, so a European night at the Velodrome is one of the great occasions in the French game.
Prices depend on the fixture, with Le Classique against Paris Saint-Germain the most expensive and hardest ticket of the season, followed by the visits of the other big clubs and the European nights. Mid-table league matches are more affordable. Secondary-market prices move with demand, so treat any figure as indicative rather than a promise, and buy early for the biggest fixtures at the Velodrome.
Base yourself near the Vieux-Port or the centre of Marseille, on the metro line for the easiest journey to the ground and the full choice of the city. The old port and the surrounding quarters put you close to the restaurants, the bars and the sights, with a short metro ride to the match. Marseille has a wide range of hotels, so pick an area near the metro line 2 for the simplest trip to the Velodrome.
Tickets for Marseille matches are typically issued as digital or mobile tickets, scanned at the turnstile from your phone, so load the ticket before you travel and keep your phone charged. A screenshot may not scan, so use the live mobile ticket where it is issued. Have the ticket and any required identification ready, and know your stand and entrance, following the instructions supplied with your order.
The ground takes its name from the cycling track, or velodrome, that ran around the pitch when it opened in 1937, in the era when stadiums often combined football with athletics and cycling. The track is long gone, replaced by the rebuilding and expansion of the ground over the decades, but the name has stayed. From the 2026-27 season the ground carries a commercial name, the CEPAC Velodrome, under a naming-rights deal.
The ground is in southern Marseille, a short metro ride from the Vieux-Port and the centre. The old port, the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde above the city, the Panier quarter, the Calanques along the coast and the islands off the port are the highlights, all within reach of the ground and the centre. A matchday at the Velodrome pairs easily with a few days in one of the great cities of the Mediterranean.
The Velodrome opened in 1937 and has been the home of Marseille ever since, rebuilt for the 1998 World Cup and again for Euro 2016, when the wave roof was added. It has staged World Cup and Euro matches, the Rugby World Cups of 2007 and 2023 and the football of the 2024 Olympics. Marseille became the only French side to win the European Cup, in 1993, one of the great moments in the ground's history.
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Sources: Olympique de Marseille (om.fr), UEFA match and venue records, the French Football Federation and the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the RTM Marseille transport information, and stadium reference records such as StadiumDB and the Football Ground Guide, together with 2025-26 Ligue 1 final-table reporting and 2026 reporting on the CEPAC naming-rights deal.