What to do in Marseille when you come to see an OM match

The 100% fan guide to the Velodrome

Coming to Marseille to see an Olympique de Marseille match is never just about watching a game. It’s about spending a whole day (or even a weekend) enjoying the atmosphere, the football talk, the singing and seeing a city that lives to the rhythm of its team. If you’re arriving on Saturday morning for a match on Saturday evening, here’s how to wait in 100 % OM mode, 100 % Marseille atmosphere.

Arriving in Marseille: taking the temperature in the Old Port

As soon as you arrive, head for the Old Port.
This is the place to start if you want to get a feel for Marseille and understand where you’ve been.
Terraces full of people, lively discussions, the first OM shirts, singing accents… even without talking football, football is already everywhere.
Take a seat on one of the terraces for a coffee, a beer or a pastis… watch, listen and soak up the atmosphere.
Take the opportunity to wander around the Panier district, just behind the Town Hall. This is the city’s historic district, where you’ll discover narrow streets, colourful street-art walls (if you’re paying attention, some of them have a direct link with OM) and typical shops. If you don’t fancy a visit to the Panier, head straight up to Notre-Dame de la Garde, the symbol of the Cité Phocéenne (just before the stadium…) where you’ll enjoy a 360° view of the city and the sea – a must when you come to Marseille!

Dress in OM colours: the official shops

It’s impossible to go to the Orange Vélodrome without being properly equipped. Even if you’ve already got your shirt, it’s almost a ritual to visit an official shop. Shirt, scarf, cap, tracksuit… the aim is simple: to arrive at the stadium in blue and white.

Official OM shops

Boutique de l’Orange Vélodrome – 3 bd Michelet – 13008 Marseille
Boutique de la Canebière – 44 La Canebière – 13001 Marseille
Boutique des Terrasses du Port – CC des Terrasses du Port – 9 Quai du Lazaret 13002 Marseille

Bengous Shop: the true supporter’s shop

For those who want something other than official merchandising, head to Bengous Shop (54 Bd Michelet, just opposite the stadium). Here, you’ll find pure Marseille supporter merchandise: T-shirts with messages, scarves and sweatshirts… items you won’t find anywhere else. This is the shop for those who live and breathe OM on a daily basis, well beyond match nights.

Simple pre-match food (and football talk)

On match day, there’s no need to look for a gourmet restaurant. The idea is to eat quickly, simply and in the right atmosphere. Pizzas, sandwiches, panisses, burgers… it doesn’t matter. The main thing is to be surrounded by supporters and to start talking about the likely line-up, the players to watch, the referees, etc. From there, the pressure slowly builds.

Pre-match: supporters’ bars and pressure build-up

From 3pm-4pm, we switch to matchday mode. If you’re in the Cours Julien area, you can enjoy a few last drinks in the lively bars before heading to the stadium (the metro is direct, so allow about 15 minutes). Are you too impatient to get to the stadium? Then it’s time to get serious! The closer it gets to kick-off, the louder the chants. Scarves around your necks, pints in your hands (in moderation of course!), determined looks on your faces. Even if you’re not from Marseilles, you’re immediately part of the atmosphere!

Entering the Orange Vélodrome: arrive early for the experience

The golden rule, because there’s only one … Don’t arrive at the last minute! By arriving at least an hour before the match, you can take full advantage of your entry into the stadium, the unique atmosphere, the first chants, the thrill when the stadium fills up and the “Jump” music starts. When “To arms” resounds throughout the stadium, you immediately understand why this stadium is unique. Then enjoy this unique experience for 90 minutes (or more).

After the match: Marseille never sleeps (especially if OM win)

If Marseille win, the city goes wild. Around the stadium and in the city centre, the bars are full, with singing in the streets and celebrations going on late into the night.
If they lose, the bars stay open. People replay the match, debate, criticise, murmur and hope. In Marseille, football never stops at the final whistle.

In conclusion: coming to see OM means experiencing much more than just a match.

Coming to Marseille to see OM is not just about “waiting for the match”. It’s also about getting a feel for the city, dressing up in blue and white, talking football all day, building up the pressure and, above all, experiencing the Vélodrome. Whether you’re a regular or just a visitor, Marseille lets you experience the match before it even starts. And that’s something you won’t find anywhere else.