Stade Bollaert-Delelis

Stade Bollaert-Delelis is the home of RC Lens and one of the great traditional grounds of French football. Its four steep, separate stands rise above the centre of Lens, a former mining city where support for the club remains closely tied to local identity.

The stadium holds 38,223 spectators, slightly more than the population of Lens itself. That familiar statistic is more than a neat piece of trivia. When RC Lens are at home, it can feel as if an entire city has squeezed through the turnstiles.

Opened in 1933 and substantially rebuilt several times, Bollaert-Delelis combines an old-fashioned four-stand layout with the facilities required of a modern European venue. The noise, particularly from the standing Kop in the Marek stand, gives it a character that many newer stadiums struggle to reproduce.

Stade Bollaert-Delelis at a Glance

Why Stade Bollaert-Delelis Is Special

Bollaert-Delelis does not rely on a retractable roof, enormous video walls or a carefully manufactured pre-match spectacle. Its reputation comes from the supporters and the stadium’s physical relationship with the city.

The four stands are close to the pitch and sharply inclined. The corners remain open, giving the stadium its distinctive outline, while the large roofs help project noise back towards the playing surface. The result is a ground that can sound considerably larger than its listed capacity.

RC Lens supporters, known collectively as the Sang et Or after the club’s red and gold colours, are regarded among the most committed in France. The club does not use the number 12 shirt as a tribute to its supporters, who are treated as the team’s symbolic 12th player.

During the 2024/25 season, RC Lens reported a 99.2 per cent occupancy rate and an average Ligue 1 attendance of 37,936. Every competitive home fixture that season sold out, extending the club’s run to 67 consecutive sell-outs. Those figures explain why obtaining a ticket can be harder than the stadium’s relatively large capacity might suggest. RC Lens attendance figures

The History of Stade Bollaert-Delelis

The stadium opened in June 1933 on land belonging to the Lens Mining Company. Much of its early construction was carried out by unemployed miners, giving the ground an immediate connection with the industry that shaped Lens and the surrounding Pas-de-Calais region.

It was originally named Stade Félix-Bollaert. Félix Bollaert was a senior figure in the Lens Mining Company and played an important role in rebuilding the region’s mining infrastructure after the First World War.

The original venue had a more oval shape, but this gradually disappeared as new rectangular stands were constructed. The first of the four modern stands opened in 1976, beginning the transformation into the football ground seen today.

Major work followed before UEFA Euro 1984 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Three stands were rebuilt for the World Cup, when the stadium hosted four matches, including France’s dramatic last-16 victory over Paraguay.

In September 2012, the name of former Lens mayor and lifelong RC Lens supporter André Delelis was added to the stadium. Delelis had served as mayor from 1966 until 1998 and was closely associated with the club and the modernisation of the city.

The most recent major reconstruction took place from 2014 to 2015 in preparation for UEFA Euro 2016. The pitch, seating and roof structures were replaced, while a new upper tier was added to the Lepagnot stand. The completed work established the current capacity of 38,223. UEFA history of the stadium

In 2025, RC Lens acquired the stadium, bringing the club’s home formally into its own property portfolio after more than nine decades of occupation.

The Four Stands

Unlike a continuous modern bowl, Bollaert-Delelis consists of four individual stands. Each has its own history, atmosphere and purpose.

Marek-Xercès Stand

The Marek-Xercès is the emotional centre of the stadium. Its lower section contains the Kop, where the most vocal RC Lens supporters gather.

The Kop returned to a standing configuration in September 2018 as part of France’s controlled standing trials. Its position along the side of the pitch is unusual. Most major European supporter sections are placed behind a goal, but the Marek Kop faces the main stand and runs parallel to the touchline.

Visitors who want the full force of the Lens atmosphere should look towards this stand. Those who prefer a calmer experience may wish to sit elsewhere.

Lepagnot Stand

Opposite the Marek-Xercès, the Lepagnot is the principal stand. It contains the dressing rooms, media facilities, hospitality areas and premium seating.

Its current structure dates mainly from the redevelopment undertaken for the 1998 World Cup, with further changes made before Euro 2016. It generally offers some of the stadium’s best central views.

Trannin Stand

The Trannin is located behind one of the goals. Built during the major redevelopment of the 1970s, it is a large two-tier structure with good views of the entire pitch.

The upper tier provides an excellent perspective on team shape and movement, although spectators are naturally farther from the action than those sitting along the touchlines.

Delacourt Stand

The Delacourt stands behind the opposite goal and completes the stadium’s four-sided layout. It was rebuilt before the 1998 World Cup and contains the visiting supporters’ section.

The official away allocation holds approximately 1,000 spectators. Access and ticket arrangements can vary according to the fixture and any security measures imposed by local authorities. Official guide to the stands

Best Seats at Stade Bollaert-Delelis

The upper levels provide a clearer view of the whole pitch, while lower seats offer a stronger sense of speed and physical contact. Sightlines are generally good because there is no athletics track separating spectators from the playing area.

Supporters booking behind either goal should check the precise block and row. Very low seats provide an intense experience but can make it harder to judge action at the far end.

Matchday Atmosphere

A Lens matchday begins well before kick-off. Red and gold shirts appear across the city centre, around the railway station and on the approaches to Avenue Alfred Maes. The stadium’s central location allows the crowd to build gradually rather than arriving exclusively through distant car parks.

Inside, the pre-match rendition of Les Corons is the defining ritual. Pierre Bachelet’s song about the mining communities of northern France has become inseparable from RC Lens. When sung by a full stadium, it provides a direct link between the club, the coalfield and generations of local supporters.

The Marek Kop supplies most of the organised chanting, but participation spreads around the ground. Bollaert-Delelis is passionate without feeling especially corporate. Even after repeated renovation, it still resembles a football stadium built for its community rather than an entertainment complex that happens to contain a pitch.

The club normally opens the external concourses and food areas several hours before kick-off. Stand access generally begins between 90 minutes and two hours before the match, although supporters should check the club’s fixture-specific information.

Tickets for RC Lens Matches

Tickets should be purchased through the official RC Lens ticketing website. Demand is extremely high and many league matches sell out quickly.

Season-ticket holders occupy a large proportion of the stadium, reducing the number of seats available through general sale. Higher-profile matches against Lille, Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and other major opponents are particularly difficult to attend.

A few practical points help:

• Create an official ticketing account before seats go on sale.
• Check the announced sales phases for each fixture.
• Avoid unofficial sellers and speculative resale websites.
• Confirm the stand, block and entrance shown on the ticket.
• Keep the digital ticket available after entering, as it may be checked again near the seating block.
• Consult the club website for fixture-specific restrictions.

Visiting supporters must normally buy through their own club rather than the RC Lens general sale.

How to Get to Stade Bollaert-Delelis

By Train

Lens railway station is approximately 15 to 20 minutes from the stadium on foot. The route passes through or close to the city centre and is usually busy with supporters on matchdays.

Regional TER trains connect Lens with Lille, Arras, Douai and other towns across Hauts-de-France. Travellers arriving from Paris will usually need to change trains, commonly at Arras or Lille depending on the service.

Allow extra time after evening fixtures. Trains may be busy and late kick-offs can leave limited return options.

By Bus

The TADAO network serves the stadium, including the Bulle 1 and Bulle 3 routes. Selected post-match services operate after evening fixtures.

RC Lens also promotes a park-and-ride shuttle from the Arena Stade Couvert in Liévin. Match arrangements can change, so supporters should check the club’s official access page before travelling. Official stadium access information

By Car

Lens can be reached from Lille via the A1 and A21 motorway network. Driving directly to the stadium is rarely the best option.

Road closures and matchday traffic affect the surrounding streets, while many stadium car parks require a pre-issued parking permit that is not sold separately. Public parking farther from the ground or the Liévin shuttle is usually more practical.

Aim to arrive at least two hours before kick-off if travelling by car. Leaving immediately after the final whistle can involve considerable delays.

On Foot

The stadium is close enough to central Lens for walking to be the simplest option. It is also within walking distance of the Louvre-Lens museum, making it possible to combine both attractions during a day in the city.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are available on the stadium concourses and in the external matchday areas. The selection tends to reflect northern French football culture rather better than the standard anonymous stadium menu.

Depending on the fixture, visitors may find:

• Frites
• Fricadelles
• Sausages and hot sandwiches
• Soft drinks
• Beer and alcohol-free alternatives
• Local matchday food stalls around the concourses

Card payment is the safest option to carry. The away section’s refreshment stand is officially cashless.

Lens city centre also has bars, cafés, bakeries and casual restaurants within walking distance. Eating before entering the stadium generally provides more choice and avoids the busiest concourse queues.

Accessibility

Stade Bollaert-Delelis provides designated places for wheelchair users and other disabled spectators, along with adapted toilets and dedicated access arrangements.

Accessible tickets and companion places should be arranged with RC Lens in advance. Parking close to the stadium is limited and generally requires prior authorisation. Supporters with specific mobility or assistance requirements should contact the club before purchasing rather than relying on standard online seating information.

Stadium Tours

Guided tours allow visitors to see areas that are normally closed on matchdays. The precise route can vary, but tours may include the dressing rooms, players’ tunnel, pitchside areas, press facilities and sections of the stands.

Tours are offered through local tourism and club partners on selected dates. Advance booking is recommended, particularly during school holidays and around home fixtures.

A stadium visit pairs naturally with the nearby Louvre-Lens and the preserved mining landscapes around Loos-en-Gohelle. Together, they explain far more about RC Lens than a quick photograph outside the gates ever could.

Major Matches and Events

Bollaert-Delelis has staged football and rugby at international level.

Notable events include:

• UEFA European Championship matches in 1984
• Four matches during the 1998 FIFA World Cup
• Rugby World Cup matches in 1999 and 2007
• Four matches during UEFA Euro 2016
• France international fixtures
• European club matches involving RC Lens
• Concerts and major community events

Its record crowd of 48,912 was recorded for RC Lens against Marseille on 15 February 1992. Modern safety rules and the conversion to an all-seater configuration mean that figure is unlikely ever to be surpassed.

Nearby Attractions

Louvre-Lens

The Louvre-Lens is the city’s leading cultural attraction and sits roughly 20 minutes from the stadium on foot. Its Galerie du Temps displays works from across the Louvre’s collections in a striking open-plan setting.

Lens 14-18 War and Peace History Centre

This museum examines the First World War in northern France through objects, personal accounts and archival material.

Vimy Ridge

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial lies a short drive outside Lens. It commemorates Canadian soldiers who served and died in France during the First World War.

Loos-en-Gohelle Mining Sites

The preserved mining base and twin slag heaps at Loos-en-Gohelle provide a direct connection to the industry that created modern Lens. The landscape is part of the wider Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visitor Tips

• Buy tickets only through official club channels.
• Arrive early enough to experience the atmosphere outside the stadium.
• Use the train, local bus or park-and-ride service where possible.
• Wear sensible clothing because the open corners can allow cold wind and rain into the stands.
• Check bag restrictions before leaving for the ground.
• Keep your ticket available throughout the visit.
• Stay in the stadium for Les Corons if it forms part of the matchday programme.
• Allow time after the final whistle for crowded streets and public transport.
• Check fixture-specific information because access arrangements can change.

Is Stade Bollaert-Delelis Worth Visiting?

Yes. For supporters interested in atmosphere, traditional stadium architecture and the relationship between a football club and its city, Bollaert-Delelis is one of the most rewarding grounds in France.

It lacks the smooth curves and polished uniformity of a newly built arena. That is part of its appeal. The separate stands, open corners and red-and-gold crowd give the ground a recognisable identity.

The best stadiums reveal something about the place around them. Bollaert-Delelis tells the story of Lens clearly: industrial, communal, proud and very loud when the football starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capacity of Stade Bollaert-Delelis?

The official capacity is 38,223.

Which team plays at Stade Bollaert-Delelis?

The stadium is the home of Racing Club de Lens, commonly known as RC Lens.

Is the stadium close to Lens railway station?

Yes. The walk from Lens station takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

What is the record attendance?

The record crowd is 48,912 for RC Lens against Marseille in February 1992.

Why is it called Bollaert-Delelis?

The stadium honours Félix Bollaert, a former director of the Lens Mining Company, and André Delelis, the former mayor of Lens and a committed RC Lens supporter.

Can you take a stadium tour?

Tours are available on selected dates and should be booked in advance through the club or the Lens-Liévin tourism service.

Where do the loudest RC Lens supporters sit?

The most vocal supporters occupy the standing Kop in the lower Marek stand, unusually positioned along the side of the pitch.