Gerland Stadium, Multi-purpose sports venue in 7th arrondissement, Lyon, France
Gerland Stadium is a rectangular rugby and football ground in Lyon's 7th arrondissement, with three tiered stands under curved roofs on white steel trusses and four floodlight towers above. Black panels along the upper tier read "Matmut" four times with "STADE" below. Its maximum capacity is 35,029, reduced to about 25,000 when upper turn blocks are covered.
Construction of the stadium began in 1913 under architect Tony Garnier's direction and opened in 1926, with German prisoners of war contributing to its completion. The construction methods from this period continue to define the facility's appearance today.
The stadium's name comes from the Gerland district, and its public name since 2017 is Matmut Stadium Gerland, taken from the former Lyon OU ground at Vénissieux. The club colours appear in the black and red seats of the renovated Jean-Jaurès and Jean-Bouin stands. The arena has also served as a concert venue, hosting the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd and Genesis.
The stadium sits conveniently with direct access from nearby railway stations, making arrival straightforward. Visitors should keep in mind that major events can draw crowds and arriving early is worth planning for.
The 1926 main entrance was reworked until 1932, and the 1998 World Cup rebuild kept the old perimeter wall with its arches while replacing the two end stands. The stadium has been listed as a monument historique since 4 October 1967. Its record Ligue 1 attendance, 48,552, was set at an Olympique Lyonnais match against Saint-Étienne in 1982.
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