MARSEILLE, France – A crowd of 35,713 spectators packed the Stade Vélodrome on Saturday, setting a new attendance record for a French Women’s Football Championship league match. Despite the enthusiastic turnout, Olympique de Marseille’s women’s team, known as ‘Les Marseillaises,’ fell to Montpellier in a 2-1 contest.
The match marked a historic occasion for the club, as the women’s team had never before played at the iconic Stade Vélodrome, which boasts a capacity of 67,000. The atmosphere was electric, even with a significant number of no-shows reported – over 10,000 fewer attendees than initially anticipated – demonstrating growing support for women’s football in France.
While this attendance figure represents a new high for the French league, it doesn’t stand as the overall record for a women’s club match in France. That distinction belongs to a 2022 UEFA Women’s Champions League encounter between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, which drew over 43,000 fans, according to records.
‘Les Marseillaises’ adopted their current moniker in the autumn of last year, signaling a renewed commitment to the women’s program. The team currently sits in ninth position in the league standings and Saturday’s loss was compounded by a slow start to the match. Despite the setback, the energy within the Stade Vélodrome remained palpable throughout the contest.
The Stade Vélodrome, officially known as the Orange Vélodrome for sponsorship reasons since June 2016, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Marseille. It serves as the home ground for Olympique de Marseille and has hosted significant events throughout its history, including matches in the 1938 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, the 1960, 1984, and 2016 UEFA European Championships, and the 2007 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. It will also be a venue for football matches during the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The stadium underwent renovations in 1984, 1998, and 2014, and currently has a capacity of 67,394. The record attendance for a football match at the Vélodrome is 65,894, set during a match between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain on February 26, 2023. A rugby match between Toulouse and Bordeaux Bègles on June 28, 2024, drew 66,760 spectators, while a concert on May 24, 2025, attracted 73,158 attendees – the highest recorded crowd for any event at the stadium.
The growing popularity of women’s football is evident not only in attendance figures but also in increased investment and media coverage. This match at the Stade Vélodrome is a clear indication of the sport’s rising profile in France and across Europe. For context, the stadium is located at 3 Boulevard Michelet in Marseille, and is accessible via public transit at Rond-Point du Prado at Michelet Huveaune.
The Stade Vélodrome, originally built between 1935 and 1937, and opened on June 13, 1937, is owned by the City of Marseille and operated by Olympique de Marseille. The stadium’s surface is an AirFibr hybrid grass, designed to provide optimal playing conditions for both football and rugby.
Looking ahead, Olympique de Marseille’s women’s team will aim to build on the momentum generated by this historic match. Their next fixture is yet to be announced, but fans can find the latest updates and ticket information on the official Orange Vélodrome website: orangevelodrome.com. The team will undoubtedly be looking to translate the passionate support witnessed on Saturday into positive results on the pitch.
This record-breaking attendance underscores a significant shift in the landscape of French football, signaling a bright future for ‘Les Marseillaises’ and the women’s game as a whole. The energy and enthusiasm displayed by the fans at the Stade Vélodrome serve as a powerful testament to the growing appeal of women’s football and its potential to captivate audiences worldwide.
