Groupama Stadium

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Lore & Background

Despite initial reservations, the new ground has become a crucible for Lyon's continued success, particularly for the women's team who have used it as a fortress to dominate European football. The acoustics and design were carefully engineered to amplify the roar of 'Les Gones' (the club's nickname), ensuring that the intimidating atmosphere that defined the old Stade de Gerland was not lost but rather evolved. It stands today as a testament to the club's resilience and forward-thinking vision, bridging the gap between its glorious past and an ambitious future.

In Their Own Story

The autumn sun dipped low over the Rhône valley, casting long shadows across the pristine green turf of Groupama Stadium. Inside, the air hummed with a nervous energy as thousands of fans in red and white began to fill the stands. The familiar chant of 'Lyon, Lyon' rose from the lower tiers, echoing off the sleek, modern steel structure that housed them. As the referee blew the whistle for kick-off, the silence of anticipation broke into a roar, proving that while the walls had changed, the soul of Olympique Lyonnais remained unbroken and fiercely alive.

Reader's Guide

The matchday ritual at Groupama Stadium is defined by the collective journey from Lyon city center to Décines-Charpieu. Supporters often gather hours before kick-off in the surrounding areas, creating a vibrant carnival atmosphere that spills into the stadium concourses. A key tradition is the 'Chant du Rhône,' where fans unite in song during warm-ups, creating a wall of sound that travels from the stands to the pitch. This shared vocal experience reinforces the bond between the club and its community, transforming a simple game day into a cultural celebration. The stadium's design encourages interaction, with wide concourses allowing fans to move freely between sections. Whether celebrating a goal or enduring a tough moment, the collective spirit of the 'Vipères' is palpable, proving that modern architecture can still house ancient passions.

Did You Know?

• The stadium is the third largest in France, behind Stade de France and Orange Velodrome.
• The first goal at the ground was scored by Alexandre Lacazette on 9 January 2016.
• An outdoor ice hockey game on 30 December 2016 set the all-time French attendance record for the sport at 25,142.
• The 2017 Coupe de la Ligue Final was the first time that final was hosted outside the Paris area.
• The stadium hosted 11 matches during the 2024 Summer Olympics: 5 men's and 6 women's.

Construction and Development

On 1 September 2008, Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michel Aulas announced plans for a new 60,000-seat stadium, tentatively called OL Land, on 50 hectares in Décines-Charpieu. The project was agreed upon on 13 October 2008 by the French government, the General Council of Rhône, the Grand Lyon, SYTRAL, and the commune of Décines, with approximately €180 million of public money and €60–80 million from the Urban Community of Lyon. The project was hindered by slow administrative procedures, political interests, and opposition groups who viewed it as financially, ecologically, and socially wrong. After landscaping in 2012, stadium construction started in summer 2013.

Football History and Attendance Records

Olympique Lyonnais played their first game at the stadium on 9 January 2016, winning 4–1 against Troyes in Ligue 1; Alexandre Lacazette scored the first goal. In September 2016, the stadium was chosen to host the 2017 Coupe de la Ligue Final, the first time the final was hosted outside the Paris area; Paris Saint-Germain won 4–1 against Monaco. On 9 December 2016, UEFA announced it would host the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final on 16 May 2018. The current record league attendance is 58,257, set on 9 November 2025 against Paris Saint-Germain. The current record European attendance is 58,018, set on 10 April 2025 against Manchester United.

International Tournament Hosting

In November 2009, the French Football Federation chose Parc Olympique Lyonnais as one of twelve stadiums for UEFA Euro 2016. It hosted six games, including France's 2–1 win over the Republic of Ireland in the last 16 and Portugal's 2–0 win over Wales in the semi-finals. The stadium was one of nine hosting matches at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, staging the semi-finals and the final. It was one of three selected for the 2024 UEFA Women's Nations League Finals, hosting one match. During the 2024 Summer Olympics, it hosted 11 matches: 5 men's and 6 women's.

Multi-Sport Versatility and Other Events

The venue hosted an outdoor Ligue Magnus ice hockey game between Lyon and Grenoble on 30 December 2016; Grenoble won 5–2, with an attendance of 25,142, the all-time record for an ice hockey game in France. It hosted the finals of rugby union's European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup in 2016. It was one of nine venues for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. It will host the match between France and England on the final weekend of the 2024 Six Nations on 16 March 2024, because the Stade de France is unavailable while being prepared for the 2024 Summer Olympics.