Parc Olympique Lyonnais
Third-largest stadium in France, home of Olympique Lyonnais.
Sebleouf · via Wikipedia: Parc Olympique Lyonnais · CC BY-SA 4.0
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, also called Groupama Stadium for sponsorship reasons, sits in Décines-Charpieu, a commune within the Metropolis of Lyon. With a capacity of 59,186, it ranks as France's third-largest stadium, trailing only the Stade de France in Saint-Denis and the Orange Vélodrome in Marseille. Since January 2016, it has served as the home ground for Olympique Lyonnais, taking over from the club's former venue, Stade de Gerland, which then became the home of Lyon OU Rugby.
The stadium has hosted a wide range of major events. It was a venue for UEFA Euro 2016, the 2017 Coupe de la Ligue Final, and the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final. It also staged matches during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and football events at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Beyond football, the ground has accommodated rugby union, ice hockey, and concerts.
Construction plans were announced on 1 September 2008 by Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michel Aulas, who proposed a 60,000-seat stadium, initially called OL Land, on 50 hectares in Décines-Charpieu. The project included state-of-the-art sports facilities, two hotels, a leisure center, and commercial offices. On 13 October 2008, the French government, the General Council of Rhône, Grand Lyon, SYTRAL, and the commune of Décines agreed to fund construction with roughly €180 million in public money and an additional €60–80 million from the Urban Community of Lyon. The project faced delays due to slow administrative processes, political interests, and opposition groups who argued it was financially, ecologically, and socially detrimental. After landscaping in 2012, actual construction began in summer 2013.
Olympique Lyonnais played its first match at the new stadium on 9 January 2016, defeating Troyes 4–1 in Ligue 1, with Alexandre Lacazette scoring the first goal. In September 2016, the stadium was selected to host the 2017 Coupe de la Ligue Final—the first time that final was held outside the Paris area—where Paris Saint-Germain beat Monaco 4–1. On 9 December 2016, UEFA announced Parc OL would host the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final on 16 May 2018. The record league attendance is 58,257, set on 9 November 2025 during a 2025–26 Ligue 1 match against Paris Saint-Germain. The record European attendance is 58,018, achieved on 10 April 2025 during a 2024–25 Europa League fixture against Manchester United.
Quick Facts
- Owner
- OL Groupe
- Groundbreaking
- 2012-10-22
- Opened
- 2016-01-09
- Address
- 10 Avenue Simone Veil
- Location
- Décines-Charpieu, Metropolis of Lyon, France
- Surface
- AirFibr hybrid grass
- Dimensions
- 105 × 68 metres (344 ft × 223 ft)
- Architect
- Populous
- Structural Engineer
- Vinci SA
- Capacity
- 59,186
- Suites
- 105
- Record Attendance
- Sports: 58,741; 20 June 2025 / Toulouse vs Bayonne (Rugby; Top 14 semi-final) / Concerts: 72,561; 25 June 2022 / Indochine, Central Tour
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
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 by the French government and local authorities on 13 October 2008, with approximately €180 million of public money and €60–80 million from the Urban Community of Lyon. Construction was hindered by slow administrative procedures, political interests, and opposition groups who viewed the stadium as financially, ecologically, and socially wrong for taxpayers and the community. After landscaping in 2012, construction started in summer 2013.
Olympique Lyonnais played their first game in the new stadium on 9 January 2016, winning 4–1 against Troyes in Ligue 1; Alexandre Lacazette scored the first goal. The stadium hosted six games at UEFA Euro 2016, including the hosts' 2–1 win over the Republic of Ireland in the last 16 and Portugal's 2–0 win over Wales in the semi-finals. It was chosen for the 2017 Coupe de la Ligue Final, the first time that final was hosted outside the Paris area, and the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final. The stadium also hosted matches at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, including the semi-finals and final, and 11 matches at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Reader's Guide
Parc Olympique Lyonnais represents a significant shift in French football infrastructure, moving Olympique Lyonnais from the historic Stade de Gerland to a modern, larger venue. Its selection for major international tournaments—UEFA Euro 2016, the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, and the 2024 Summer Olympics—underscores its status as a premier French stadium. The venue also hosted the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final and the 2017 Coupe de la Ligue Final, the latter breaking the tradition of holding that final in the Paris area. Beyond football, the stadium has hosted rugby union matches, including finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in 2016, and was a venue for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. It also set an all-time French attendance record for ice hockey, with 25,142 spectators for a Ligue Magnus game between Lyon and Grenoble on 30 December 2016. The stadium's construction, involving substantial public funding and facing local opposition, reflects broader debates about large-scale sports infrastructure projects. Its record league attendance of 58,257 was set on 9 November 2025 during a fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.
Did You Know?
- The stadium's record league attendance is 58,257, set on 9 November 2025 against Paris Saint-Germain.
- An outdoor Ligue Magnus ice hockey game on 30 December 2016 set the all-time French attendance record for ice hockey at 25,142.
- The stadium replaced Stade de Gerland as Olympique Lyonnais' home in January 2016.
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