2019-20 UEFA Women's Champions League

Lore & Background

The final against Barcelona Femení was a clash of titans, two teams representing the pinnacle of the sport. The match at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys was tense, with the crowd roaring for their team. However, Lyon's experience and tactical discipline under Jean-Luc Vasseur proved decisive. A 3-1 victory in regular time sealed another historic triumph, showcasing the French giants' clinical edge.

In Their Own Story

The air in Barcelona was thick with tension as the clock ticked past the 90th minute. The roar of the crowd seemed to shake the very foundations of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, but inside the Lyon dressing room, there was a quiet, steely resolve. Wendie Renard looked at her teammates, knowing that history waited just beyond the next few minutes. When the breakthrough finally came, it wasn't just a goal; it was the sound of a dynasty being forged in fire, silencing the home crowd and etching Lyon's name into the annals of football forever.

Reader's Guide

In May 2020, Olympique Lyonnais achieved their fifth UEFA Women's Champions League title, a record-breaking feat that solidified their legacy as the most successful club in the tournament's history. The victory came against fierce rivals FC Barcelona Femení in a final that required extra time to decide the winner. The match was a tactical masterclass, with Lyon overcoming a resilient Barcelona side through sheer determination and clinical finishing. This triumph extended their dominance over European women's football, proving that no team could consistently challenge their supremacy on the continental stage. This record is significant not only for the number of titles but for the era of excellence it represents. It marked the culmination of years of investment and development in French women's football, setting a benchmark that future generations would strive to reach.

Did You Know?

• Lyon became the first club to win five UEFA Women's Champions League titles with this victory.
• The final was played at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, a neutral venue, not Barcelona's usual home ground for women's matches.
• Wendie Renard captained the side in a tournament where she continued her legendary defensive performances.
• This win extended Lyon's unbeaten run in European finals to an unprecedented level.

Construction and Origins

Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michel Aulas first unveiled plans for a new sixty-thousand-seat venue on September 1, 2008. Located in Décines-Charpieu, the project was tentatively named OL Land and intended to cover fifty hectares with extensive sporting facilities alongside hotels and commercial offices. Although approved by various government bodies in October 2008, significant delays occurred due to slow administrative procedures and political opposition. Critics argued the €180 million public funding investment was financially and ecologically unsound for taxpayers. Despite these hurdles, landscaping began in 2012, allowing actual construction to commence during the summer of 2013. The facility ultimately replaced the Stade de Gerland as the club's home in January 2016, marking a new era for the region.

Prestigious International Football Events

The venue quickly established itself as a premier location for major international tournaments following its completion. In November 2009, it was selected as one of twelve stadiums for UEFA Euro 2016, hosting six matches including the semi-final where Portugal defeated Wales. Its reputation grew further when it was chosen to stage the final and semi-finals of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. Additionally, the ground hosted the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final and served as a venue for football during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, accommodating eleven matches across men’s and women’s competitions. This consistent selection highlights its status as one of France's most significant sporting arenas.

Club Milestones and Attendance Records

Olympique Lyonnais inaugurated the stadium on January 9, 2016, with a decisive four-one victory against Troyes in Ligue 1. Alexandre Lacazette scored the historic first goal at the ground during this fixture. Since then, attendance figures have reached remarkable heights within both domestic and European competitions. The record league attendance stands at fifty-eight thousand two hundred fifty-seven spectators, recorded during a match against Paris Saint-Germain on November 9, 2025. Similarly, the highest European crowd was achieved in April 2025 against Manchester United with over fifty-eight thousand fans present. These figures demonstrate the strong support base for the club within this modern facility compared to their previous home at Stade de Gerland.

Multi-Sport Versatility and Other Uses

Beyond football, the stadium has proven highly versatile for various other sporting disciplines and entertainment events. It hosted the finals of rugby union’s European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in 2016, and was later selected as a venue for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Notably, on December 30, 2016, the grounds hosted a unique outdoor Ligue Magnus ice hockey fixture between Lyon and Grenoble. This match set a national record with twenty-five thousand one hundred forty-two attendees when Grenoble won five to two. The venue also accommodated the France versus England Six Nations match in March 2024 due to unavailability at Stade de France. Furthermore, the grounds have hosted musical concerts, solidifying its role as a multi-purpose entertainment hub in Lyon.