The stadium is large but easy to manage if you follow the guided route and plan around event days.
Plan your visit to Groupama Stadium in Lyon
Groupama Stadium is more than a football venue. It is a 59,000-seat arena that blends behind-the-scenes stadium access, an interactive club museum, urban street art, and pitch-side dining. The scale can surprise first-timers, especially on match or concert days when visitor numbers surge. With a clear route and timed booking, you can comfortably explore the locker rooms, tunnel, museum, and public areas in under three hours through guided tours.
Navigating your way
Start at the main welcome entrance
Follow the guided tour route
Guided tours follow a structured circuit. Here's a general idea: Reception → VIP lounges → Media zone → Player tunnel → Pitch-side → Locker rooms.
Museum after the tour
After the tour, you can enter OL Museum at your own pace. The Offside Gallery murals are visible along internal walkways.
Plan around match and concert days
On match or concert days, access areas may be restricted and tours usually end around 2 hours before kickoff. Download the stadium map in advance and check event schedules to avoid closures.
Explore better with a local expert
Groupama Stadium spans nearly 60,000 seats and multiple hospitality levels. Without context, it can feel like a quick walk through empty corridors. A guided tour brings it to life with club stories, architectural insights, and access to restricted areas like locker rooms and the players’ tunnel. It adds interactive exhibits and trophies that give real depth to the experience.
Handy tips
- Book in advance: Tours run at fixed times and often sell out on weekends and peak season between March and October.
- Avoid event clashes: Tours usually stop 2 hours before kickoff or concerts.
- Credit cards only: On-site payments typically do not accept cash.
- Pick calmer slots: Morning tours are usually quieter.
- Plan transport: Post-match tram lines can take 45–60 minutes longer than usual.
Explore Groupama Stadium
Step inside one of France’s most modern arenas and discover sport, art, and culture in one place.
Stadium tour
Go behind the scenes on a guided circuit that takes you through spaces you normally only see on TV. You’ll move from the hospitality areas into the football “backstage” route, including VIP lounges, media zones, the players’ tunnel, and pitch-side viewpoints. It’s the best way to understand how a matchday runs, even if you’re not a die-hard OL fan.
What to look out for: Players’ tunnel, media zone, locker rooms, pitch-side photo spots.
OL Museum
This is the club’s interactive museum, built to be easy to explore at your own pace. Expect trophies, original memorabilia, and multimedia exhibits that walk you through Olympique Lyonnais’ story across 70+ years. It’s also a great “reset” after the tour because you can slow down, revisit highlights, and let kids explore the screens and games.
What to look out for: Championship trophies, archival match footage, interactive displays.
Offside Gallery
Yes, there’s street art inside the stadium. The Offside Gallery is a permanent urban art installation with large-scale murals across stadium walls. You’ll usually spot it along walkways during your visit. As you come for football, you experience some culture too!
What to look out for: Rotating mural styles, best photo angles in daylight, and corridor walls near tour routes.
Brasserie des Lumières
If you want to turn the visit into a proper outing with a meal, this is the spot. Brasserie des Lumières is the stadium’s Bocuse-branded brasserie with glass views overlooking the pitch. It’s a fun way to end your tour: you’ve seen the tunnel and the lockers, and now you’re dining with a stadium view. Make sure to make reservations, since it's quite packed on weekends and event days.
What to look out for: Pitch-view tables, matchday buzz, and longer service times before kickoff.
Things to check before you reach Groupama Stadium
👉 Entrances
Pick the right gate and avoid event-day congestion.
👉 Timings
See tour hours, museum access, and event closures.
👉 Getting there
Check tram lines, walking distances, and parking.
👉 Rules
Know bag policies, ID requirements, and photo rules.
👉 Map
Download the stadium layout before arrival.
Groupama Stadium timings & best time to visit
| Day | Timings | Last entry | Closed on |
|---|---|---|---|
Mon-Sun | 10am–6pm (tour slots fixed) | 1 hour before closing | Event blackout days |
Best time to visit
Weekday vs weekend
Weekdays, especially late mornings, are calmer. Saturdays and matchdays see higher footfall, particularly 2–3 hours before kickoff. For a quieter tour, choose midweek slots.
Peak season vs Low season
March–October aligns with football fixtures and summer concerts, making it busier. January and December are typically quieter except during special events. For fewer crowds, aim for weekday mornings outside concert season.
For the smoothest experience, arrive early on a non-event weekday.
Where is the Groupama Stadium located?
Groupama Stadium is located in Décines-Charpieu, about 10km east of central Lyon.
Address: 10 Av. Simone Veil, 69150 Décines-Charpieu, France | Find on Maps
Closest landmark: Décines OL Vallée tram stop, directly outside the stadium.
Entrances
| Entrance name | Location | Who is it for | Crowds & wait times |
|---|---|---|---|
Main Welcome Entrance | 10 Av. Simone Veil | General visitors, guided tours | Moderate; busiest before matchdays |
Event Gates | Perimeter stadium gates | Match or concert ticket holders | Heavy congestion 1–2 hrs before events |
Facilities
- Audio guides – Available on select tours; ask at reception for language options.
- Bag checks – Small backpacks are allowed; larger luggage is refused at entry.
- Restrooms – Available across levels, including accessible toilets with clear signs.
- Official store – Pick up jerseys, scarves, and club memorabilia near the main exit.
- Food and drink – Brasserie dining, plus kiosks and counters during match or concert days.
Accessibility
General facilities
- Groupama Stadium has step-free access across main public areas, with elevators connecting key levels.
- Staff support is available at the welcome desk, and priority access may be offered during busy periods.
- Security screening still applies to all visitors, so allow a few extra minutes even with assistance.
- If you have mobility access needs, it helps to confirm your tour type in advance so the route can be aligned.
Physical disabilities
- Large parts of the visitor route are wheelchair-accessible, including public areas and most tour stops.
- Elevators and ramps support movement between levels, and adapted restrooms are available on-site.
- Some behind-the-scenes areas can have tighter corridors, so support staff may redirect via an alternative path to keep the experience smooth.
- Request help at the welcome desk before your tour begins.
Hearing impairments
- Tours are live-guided, so the experience depends on clear audio and group pacing.
- The museum portion is more self-paced, with screens, videos, and text panels that make it easier to explore independently after the guided circuit.
Visual impairments
- The stadium’s wide walkways and modern layout make navigation simpler than older venues, but lighting changes between indoor corridors and pitch-side areas.
- Staff assistance can be requested at arrival, especially for moving through security and joining the right tour group.
- For a smoother route, aim for a quieter morning slot when corridors are less congested and guides can pace the group more comfortably.
Visiting with family
- The OL Museum is interactive, with screens and exhibits that keep kids engaged during the visit.
- Restrooms are available across levels, including accessible facilities for families.
- Morning tour slots are usually calmer, which helps if you are visiting with younger children.
- Event days can be loud and crowded, so non-event days are easier for family pacing.
Rules and restrictions
- Entry requires a valid dated ticket (digital or printed), and checks may include photo ID.
- All visitors pass through security screening before entering the stadium access areas.
- Large suitcases and oversized bags are not permitted inside; small backpacks are typically allowed.
- Tour routes may be shortened, rerouted, or suspended on matchdays or concert dates.
- Photography is generally permitted; flash and professional equipment are restricted.
- Food and drinks are limited to designated areas during tours and museum visits.
- Re-entry is not permitted once you exit the stadium on the same ticket.
- On-site payment at some counters may be credit card only, depending on the service point.
Where to shop
Official OL Store (near the main entrance)
Jerseys, scarves, training wear, and matchday essentials, plus seasonal club collections.
Memorabilia corner (inside the store)
Signed items, small gifts, and collectible keepsakes that are easy to pack for travel.
OL Museum
Books, photo souvenirs, and club-history themed items that pair well with the OL Museum visit.
Where to eat
Brasserie des Lumières
Bocuse-branded brasserie with pitch views, suited for a full sit-down meal.
Quick counters and kiosks (event days)
Snacks, soft drinks, and simple hot items for a fast bite before the venue gets busy.
Nearby options in Décines-Charpieu
Local cafés and casual restaurants can be easier if you want to avoid event-day queues on-site.
Where to stay
Groupama Stadium sits in Décines-Charpieu, a quieter suburb east of Lyon. It can be convenient if your main plan is a match or concert night, but it is not the best base for sightseeing. Most visitors stay closer to central Lyon around Part-Dieu or Presqu’île, then take Tram T7 or transfers on the day.
Kyriad Lyon Est (10-minute drive)
Budget-friendly and practical for short stadium-focused stays.
Ibis Lyon Carré de Soie (15-minute drive)
Mid-range choice with easier tram connectivity.
Radisson Blu Lyon (20-minute drive)
Central, near Part-Dieu station for transport links.
Boscolo Lyon (25-minute drive)
Higher-end option in the Presqu’île area.
Insider tips
- On event days, the stadium can switch into match operations early. Booking a morning tour gives you the cleanest run through locker rooms and pitch-side areas, before crowd controls tighten.
- The museum is the best “reset” after the tour. If you feel tour-paced or rushed, OL Museum lets you slow down and still get the club story through screens, trophies, and archival footage. It is also the easiest part for kids to enjoy independently.
- Trams are the simplest way in, but the slowest way out after concerts. Post-event queues can stretch 45–60 minutes depending on crowd volume. If you can, wait it out with a snack or shop stop and leave once the first wave clears.
- The Offside Gallery murals are easiest to appreciate in daylight. If your slot is later in the day, prioritize the murals early in your route so the lighting still works for photos.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Groupama Stadium
Most visitors spend 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours on the guided stadium tours. With OL Museum, plan for 2–3 hours total, especially if you stop for photos and shop time.
Visits usually run within a 10am–6pm window, but you enter on fixed tour slots, not free walk-in access. Matchdays and concerts can change the timings.
Yes, but not every slot is in English. If you want an English tour, pick that option while booking.
Sometimes, but it’s a gamble. Tours run on scheduled slots and weekends or event days can sell out. Booking ahead is the safer move.
For tours and the museum, go to the main welcome entrance (the standard check-in point). On matchdays, you’ll be directed to separate event gates.
Yes, but expect restrictions. Tours may be shortened or paused, and they usually stop around 2 hours before kickoff so the venue can switch into event mode.
Largely, yes. It’s a modern stadium with step-free access across key public areas. Some behind-the-scenes spots can be tight, so staff may guide you via an alternate route if needed.
Yes. The locker rooms and player tunnel are usually the big hits, and the museum has interactive exhibits that work well for families.
Yes, personal photography is generally allowed. Professional equipment may need approval in advance.
Carry a card too. Some visitors report that credit card was the only payment method at on-site counters.
The stadium visit is typically guided. OL Museum is usually self-paced, so you can take your time once you’re inside.
Yes. Brasserie des Lumières is the on-site restaurant with pitch views. Book ahead if you’re going on a weekend or event day.
