Inside Groupama Stadium: A Guide to Lyon’s Football Arena

Groupama Stadium stands as an example of modern sports architecture and fan engagement. Since its opening in 2016, this breathtaking arena has not only become the home ground of Olympique Lyonnais but also a landmark of innovation and design in the world of football. With its striking design, advanced facilities, and commitment to enhancing the spectator experience, Groupama Stadium represents a new era in stadium construction. 

Everything in this facility is carefully designed to provide the best experience possible for spectators and players, from the press room to the strategically positioned metro line. And this is just the beginning of what this venue has to offer.

Join us as we see what makes Groupama Stadium a jewel in Lyon’s crown and a model for future sports venues in Europe and the entire world. Make sure to pay attention to each item, and you’ll become an expert on the matter.

Here’s everything to know about Parc Olympique Lyonnais and its legacy:

Table of Contents

• Inside Groupama Stadium: A Guide to Lyon’s Football Arena
• Location of Groupama Stadium
• Details and Curiosities That Make Groupama Unique
• Want to Take Your Football Skills to the Next Level?

Location of Groupama Stadium

Located on French grounds, Stadium Groupama lies in the region of Décines-Charpieu, a charming place in the country that attracts tourists worldwide due to its incredible cuisine and beautiful views. Even though the structure is surrounded by grass, it is merely a choice of design and functionality. The arena has a privileged location right next to the city center and can be easily accessed through public transport, including its own tram line.

This makes it the perfect venue for all kinds of events, whether the European Champions Cup, friendly games, or concerts. It’s in the region’s heart and helps keep the sports tradition alive inside everyone who passes through this construction.

If you ever visit France, this beautiful stadium is a must-go. And if you have the opportunity to watch an event inside the arena, we ensure it will be unforgettable.

Details and Curiosities That Make Groupama Unique

Now, it’s time to see what makes this arena shine among the others and the most unique curiosities about it. From the project budget to its role in Rugby, we will cover the main aspects of this venue. Make sure to pay attention to each one, and you’ll become an expert, whether you plan on visiting the stadium or are just a football enthusiast wanting to learn more. 

Here are the main details about Groupama Stadium and its legacy in sports:

The First Project

Although the construction of Groupama was finished in 2016, the idea started to be developed over a decade ago. Jean-Michel Aulas, president of Olympique Lyonnais, presented the first idea for the stadium in 2008. 

The initial project was to build an arena with over 60,000 seats for spectators and top-notch technology to turn it into France’s most advanced venue for multiple purposes. The new stadium would be called OL Land and feature various spaces, including restaurants, a gym, and many other structures, to become the best among all stadiums in the region.

Most of it has become true, and now you have the beauty of a stadium with enormous capacity, combining technology and great user experience. Everything is projected to be convenient and comfortable for everyone visiting the arena.

Multiple Names

People refer to this arena using multiple different names. The most common one is Groupama Stadium. It is the official one and is used due to sponsorship actions. However, another widespread name for the facility is Parc Olympique Lyonnais, or simply Parc OL. This name directly refers to the team it hosts. Both names are technically correct and can be used interchangeably. 

During competitions and when purchasing gifts at the store, you’ll probably only find items referring to Groupama because of their contract with the company, but on unofficial materials and outside the facility, Parc Olympique Lyonnais or OL Stadium are actually more common..

Design and Technology at a High Price

As we mentioned, OL Stadium is one of the most advanced stadiums in all of Europe when it comes to technology, explaining why its construction budget was very high, even for this kind of stadium. These top-notch features, along with an architectural project signed by Populous, a famous European company, brought its construction price up to approximately 480 million euros for the entire structure of the sports site. From these 480 million euros, 180 million were public money provided through an agreement with the government of France.

The arena’s atmosphere feels like nothing else, both inside and outside. When you pass through it, you can see the metal structure lit up with different colors, highlighting the structure and its main aspects. When you enter the stadium, you see a technological field that is easily swappable and customized for different needs.

Transportation and Parking

Arriving at the arena located at 10 Avenue Simone Veil is not hard at all, not only because it is located near the center of the city but also because there are tons of options you can choose from.

If you purchase a ticket for a show or match, you can use public transportation, rent a car, walk to the stadium, and other options. The most common method of transportation to the arena is through the metro system. You can easily find Part Dieu Station, which will take you directly to the arena and back to your hotel or any other part of the city.

On the other hand, if you plan on renting a car or using your vehicle, Groupama also has you covered. The stadium has five different parking lots to choose from, each located in one area around the facility. You can also make a reservation on their official website to ensure a spot for your car when you visit the stadium. 

It is essential to highlight that the parking reservation system is a little unstable and can present numerous problems according to some visitors who use it. If you plan on using the website and booking your spot, be aware of these problems.

You can check the platform by visiting Parkopedia. There, you’ll find all the instructions about the process and how to guarantee your spot.

Iconic Matches

Parc Olympique Lyonnais hosted some of the most iconic matches in the history of European football, including the Europa League final match, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and many other important events in the football world.

One of the most remarkable ones was the first game ever hosted by the stadium in January 2016. It was a friendly match between Olympique Lyonnais and Troyes. The home team won the game by a whopping 4-1, marking an excellent start for this venue’s history.

In the same year, it also hosted the UEFA Euro, including group phases, a round of 16, and semi-finals. The semi-final match was a thriving event between the teams of Wales and eventual champions, Portugal, reuniting over 55 thousand spectators cheering for their team.

Even with less than a decade of existence, the arena has already hosted numerous amazing events and marked its name in football history as one of France’s preferred arenas for competitions. Every game is a true show, and this is just the beginning of Groupama’s legacy.

Other Sports and Events

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Parc Olympique Lyonnais is one of the most versatile venues available in all of Europe. This results in hosting events of all kinds, including sports, music, and all kinds of entertainment.

The arena received teams from all over the world for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, being an example of a high-end venue. Along with that, it also hosted hockey matches and competitions with the French rugby club.

But sports are not the only thing you’ll see in Groupama Arena. The stadium is also a popular venue for concerts of artists from all over the world. Famous attractions such as Rammstein and Celine Dion have already stepped into the French stadium to perform for the thousands of fans who are celebrating and cheering. The highest attendance in the stadium’s history was during Coldplay’s show for the European/English Tour, with more than 160 thousand spectators reunited at the arena to see them performing live.

Structure Details

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Groupama goes far beyond just a football pitch, and some stands for the fans to enjoy the games. It has a complete structure, and each space features different options for people visiting the stadium.

For example, inside the arena, you can find a restaurant to have a fancy dinner with your friends or family. Along with that, you also have a museum with articles and items from Olympique Lyonnais and their trajectory in football.

The options are endless, and the more you explore OL Stadium, the more you discover. The facility also includes 105 executive suites that serve multiple purposes. Everything is projected to provide comfort and the best experience possible for visitors and teams playing at the arena. 

If you ever have the opportunity to tour the stadium, it is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience that will please any football player. Prepare to learn a lot about this particular venue and every secret it hides behind its stunning architecture.

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