Looking ahead to EURO 2016 in France, the Stade Vélodrome in the city of Marseilles – which was inaugurated back in 1937 – has been given a spectacular, futuristic, new roof. Additional seating has also been installed at the home ground of the long-established football club Olympique Marseille, taking its capacity up to 67,354 spectators and making it the biggest stadium in France where matches are played at club level. In 2014, the Stade Delort, in the immediate vicinity of the Stade Vélodrome, was also completed with a capacity of 5,000 spectators as part of the upgrade of the area. The new development comprises a real grass rugby pitch encircled by an athletics track, three stands and a number of offices and changing rooms. This sport facility is used by local clubs and schools, and is the venue for top-flight rugby fixtures in the “Top 14” league. The decision was made to install the Polytan M synthetic sports surface in traditional brick red for the eight-lane circular track.
