Euro 2016: "The Stade Velodrome is one of the finest sports facilities in France" (J-C Gaudin)

The Stade Velodrome in Marseille (capacity 67,000) was inaugurated in the presence of Jean-Claude Gaudin, mayor of Marseille, Patrick Kanner, French minister for urban affairs, youth and sports, Martin Bouygues, CEO of Bouygues and 2000 guests on 16/10/2014.

"This project has exceeded our expectations, and this is the finest sports facilities in France. For our shared happiness with the city, we wish Olympique de Marseille to stay ahead," said Jean-Claude Gaudin. The enclosure was completed after three years of construction and a total cost of €267m.

• The renovation of the Velodrome Stadium was funded through a public-private partnership between the City of Marseille and Arema, a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction.
• The Marseille stadium will host 6 of 51 matches of Euro 2016, including a quarter-final and a semi-final.
• The Stade Velodrome will host the upcoming friendlies France - Fiji (rugby) on 08/11/2014 and France - Sweden (football) on 18/11/2014.
• The City of Marseille has been designated the European Capital of Sport in 2017 by the jury of the ACES (Association of the…