This elliptical coliseum, open to the four winds (and to the mistral), is undeniably impressive: 60,000 seats divided between four stands, the tallest of which reaches to 27 metres. After the Stade de France on the northern edge of Paris, it is the country’s second largest playing field. The only thing it lacks is a roof, a project that has been on the boards for several years now.
Inaugurated in 1937, the olympic stadium originally had 30,000 seats and hosted every sports event on the calendar. For many years, cycling was one of its star sports, featuring a World Championship and many Tour de France finishing lines. Athletics races and boxing matches were also held there.
Beginning in the 1970s, given the ever-increasing crowd, the Vélodrome underwent a series of modernising renovations, including the installation of four 60m high pylons that shed light on after-dark matches. At that time, the stadium could hold 55,000 fans, many of whom had to stand. Then, as 1998 and football’s World Cup drew nearer, the organisation committee finally scrapped plans to build a new stadium on the outskirts of Marseille, preferring instead to completely refurbish the existing complex. 24 months later, the new Stade Vélodrome opened its gates: 60,000 seats, 60 boxes, a press box, a shop...
Rugby could not pass by such an iconic arena. The ‘Vel’ has become the preferred battleground of the French Tricolores, who defeated New Zealand there in 2000 and followed suit by worsting world champions Australia a year later. No fewer than 6 Rugby Union World Cup 2007 matches are scheduled to take place there: New Zealand v Italy (8 September); Italy v Romania (12 September); Argentina v Namibia (22 September); and France v Georgia (30 September), followed by two quarter finals (6 and 7 October).
