Olympique Lyonnais ready to unveil its new fully connected stadium

January 7, 2016 Adrien Danjou

Olympique Lyonnais is all set to open its new fully-connected stadium on Saturday in time for its Ligue 1 game against Bastia and in time for the Euros that kick off in June.

Temporarily named ‘Stade des Lumières’ (Lights Stadium) or ‘Parc Olympique Lyonnais’ until it’s official naming ceremony, the 59,000 capacity stadium will be one of the most-connected stadiums in the world with French telecommunications company Orange, a primary partner of the 2016 Euros and of the project, building a private Wi-Fi network in the stadium consisting of approximately 500 Wi-Fi routers. The network will allow up to 20,000 people to be simultaneously connected which kicks off a new chapter in sports stadia technology in Europe.

Offering services accompanying the Internet access like 320 connected screens, digital ticket scanning booths and digitally connected sales outlets (allowing for remote access for fans), the football club is also working with Tech kingpins Microsoft in order to develop a special mobile app which allows fans to get tickets online, find a seat, watch highlights of the game or even order food or drink.

The stadium is just a part of the new complex which includes a training centre, a megastore, two hotels, one business centre with office space, a sports and leisure centre, a museum and a number of restaurants.

Olympique Lyonnais Preside Jean-Michel Aulas was full of pride and emotion in launching the new home of the club.

“To be one of the biggest clubs in Europe, we need a great stadium. This project commenced in 2006 and now we are proud to put the stadium on show. It was a long journey,” he said.

To celebrate the stadium unveil, pop superstar Will.I.Am will dj a one hour set in the stadium after the Bastia game.

Check out below a collection of photos of the new stadium.