2019-20 UEFA Women's Champions League

Lore & Background

Lyon were the defending champions, having won the previous four editions. They successfully defended their title after defeating VfL Wolfsburg 3–1 in the final for their fifth consecutive and seventh overall title. For the first time, the video assistant referee (VAR) system was used in the competition, where it was implemented in the final.

Reader's Guide

The competition was postponed indefinitely on 17 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. The final, originally scheduled to be played on 24 May 2020 at the Generali Arena in Vienna, Austria, was officially postponed on 23 March 2020. On 17 June 2020, UEFA announced that the remaining matches, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, would be played between 21 and 30 August at San Mamés, Bilbao and Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastián in Basque Country, Spain behind closed doors, as an eight-team single-match knockout tournament, with San Sebastián hosting the final.

Did You Know?

• A record of 62 teams from 50 of the 55 UEFA member associations entered this season's competition.
• Armenia sent their first team since the inaugural edition in 2001–02.

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.