Rugby World Cup stadium guide: Stade de Marseille

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is rapidly approaching as fans from around the globe gear up to see the best there is in the game fight for glory on the sport’s biggest stage.

Ahead of the action in France, Planet Rugby is taking a closer look at all the venues the tournament will use, first up is Stade de Marseille.

Background

One of the oldest grounds being used in this World Cup and home to Olympique de Marseille, the Stade de Marseille or Orange Velodrome’s construction began in 1935 and finished in 1937 with a 35,000 capacity. There were renovations and expansions on several occasions in 1971, 1983, 1998 and 2014 with the new capacity over 67,000.

The famous arena has been used mainly for football events including the 1938 and 1998 FIFA World Cup, 1960, 1984 and 2016 European Football Championships.

However there is a rich rugby history in the ground with Les Bleus’ first game there being a 42-33 win over New Zealand in 2000. There have also been 11 more Tests played in the stadium since then as well as some Top14 semi-finals and the Champions Cup final in 2022.

The venue will host several matches and has also been selected as a football venue for next year’s Olympics.

Rugby World Cup fixtures

September 9: England v Argentina, Stade de Marseille, 21:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
September 10: South Africa v Scotland, Stade de Marseille, 17:45 local (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT)
September 21: France v Namibia, Stade de Marseille, 21:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
October 1: South Africa v Tonga, Stade de Marseille, 21:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
October 14: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D, quarter-final 1, Stade de Marseille, 17:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
October 15: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C, quarter-final 3, Stade de Marseille, 17:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)

Stadium access

Metro

From 05H to 00H30 or 01H30 on match days (matches at 21H)
Line 2 (Red) – Stop: Rond-point du Prado (For Jean Bouin access and North Stand – Entry 1)
Line 2 (Red) – Stop: Marguerite Dromel (For Ganay access and South Stand – Entry 2)
Line 1 (Bue) – Stop: Castellane / walk to the Stadium (20′)

Buses

From 05H to 21H
Ligne 19 – To Stade de Marseille / Stop: Rond-point du Prado
Service until 01H30 on match days (matches at 21H)

Ligne 21 – To Stade de Marseille / Stop: Rond-point du Prado
Ligne 83 – To Stade de Marseille / Stop: Rond-point du Prado
Service until 01H30 on match days (matches at 21H)

READ MORE: All the 2023 Rugby World Cup squads and team updates