Orange Velodrome

Orange Velodrome, better known as Stade Velodrome, was developed to act as a playing venue for the 1938 World Cup. Soon after it became the new home of Olympique de Marseille after Stade de l'Huveaune had become too small for the club.

Stade Velodrome was formally inaugurated on 13 June 1937 with a friendly fixture between Marseille and Italian side Torino. Throughout the 1938 World Cup, the ground staged one first round match and the semi-final between Italy and Brazil (2-1).

The ground initially had a cycling track as well as a running track circling the pitch. It was bowl-shaped and both long sides had cover. The ground remained largely unchanged for the over the over the over the over the following decades, though the tracks got gradually eaten away by the extension of the stands.

Stade Velodrome received a first refurbishment in preparation of the Euro 1984 Championships, for which it staged one first round group match and the semi-final match between France and Portugal (3-2).

The ground was almost completely rebuilt for the 1998 World Cup, and it was then when the ground got its characteristic round-shaped stands. Capacity got increased to about 60,000 seats, though the new arena was also criticised for its lack of cover.

Throughout the World Cup, Stade Velodrome staged four first round group matches, a round of 16 match, a quarter-final, and the semi-final between Brazil and Holland (1-1).

New major renovation plans were presented following France being awarded the Euro 2016 tournament. Works included the almost complete reBuilding work on the two principal stands, minor works on the stands at both ends, and the Building work on a roof that would cover the complete stadium, hereby increasing capacity with another 7,000 seats. The major renovation was completed in the summer of 2014.

During Euro 2016, Stade Velodrome staged four first round group matches, the quarter-final between Portugal and Poland (1-1), and the semi-final between France and Germany (2-0).

In 2016, the ground got renamed Orange Velodrome following a naming rights sponsorship deal with telecommunications firm Orange.

(images of the current Stade Velodrome below)

Orange Velodrome is situated in the south of the city of Marseille, about 3.5 kilometres from Marseille's downtown area and a kilometre more from downtown railway station Saint-Charles.

You can reach the ground with metro line 2. Catch the metro southbound at Saint-Charles railway station or another stop in the downtown area (e.g. Noailles), and get off at either Rond-Point du Prado or Sainte Marguerite Dromel (both located at different sides of Stade Velodrome).

If coming from the old port area, you can catch metro line 1 and change at station Castellane to line 2. Visitors will find a metro network map here.

If it also possible to just walk from the old port area to Stade Velodrome, which will take 30-45 minutes. Find your way to the Rue de Rome, a few blocks inland, and turn south. The Rue de Rome turns into the wide Avenue de Prado, which brings you in one line to the ground. It is a pleasant walk.

Marseille has good train connections with the rest of France. There are frequent direct TGV trains from, for example, Paris, Lyon, and Nice. The journey from Paris takes about 3.5 hours. You can book your train tickets in advance through the official SNCF website. City& Local Guides

Marseille also has its own airport, Marseille Provence Airport, which has good connections and is also serviced by low-cost airlines. The airport is situated 25 kilometres north-west of Marseille's centre, on the other side than Stade Velodrome, so catch a bus to Saint-Charles train station first and make your way to the ground from there.

Address: 3 Boulevard Michelet, 13008 Marseille

Orange Velodrome is situated in a rather well-off residential area. There are a several dining and drinks options around, most of all on the Avenue du Prado in the direction of the downtown area. In the downtown area the old port area (Vieux Port) is the place to dine and drink.

Visitors will find a reasonable amount of hotels in the vicinity of Stade Velodrome. The Mercure Marseille Prado, Inter-Hotel Parc des Expositions, and Citadines Prado Chanot Marseille all get good reviews and are only 5 to 10 minutes on footing from the ground. Hotel Le Huitième is a more budget alternative. The Novotel on Avenue du Prado is a bit farther away but still an easy walk, while closer to the centre.

If you wish to stay close to the coast (and beach), the Residence Adagio Prado Plage may be of interest to you. Most will decide to stay in the old port area though, or a bit further south near Castellane with both the ground and downtown area at a short walk.

Use the linked guides To browse hotels near Stade Velodrome, and here to explore further options in Marseille's downtown area.

Admission for Marseille games can be purchased online (the official website operates through Digitick), at the ticket office at the ground, or at the OM official store at 31 Rue St Ferréol in the downtown area. They can in addition be bought at any of the Francebillet, Ticketnet, or Digitick sales outlets.

Ticket prices can depend on the match, but expect to pay from €10.00 for a seat behind the goal to between €20.00 and €55.00 for a seat at one of the sides. Prices for high-profile games tend to be somewhat higher, but Admission for low profile matches such as the Europa League can go for even cheaper.

Additional information call +33 (0) 892 700 840.

The Marseille tourist office organises guided venue tours that include access to the dressing rooms, the press room, stands, and players' tunnel. The tours run for around 75 minutes.

Tours run most days of the week when there are no matches or events at the ground multiple times a day. Check online for an up-to-date schedule.

Tickets can be booked online. Call +33 (0)4 86 09 50 34 or email booking@marseille-tourisme.com Additional information.

The tour price is €13.00.