Toulouse

TOULOUSE FC – STADE MUNICIPAL – CAPACITY: 36,369 ALL SEATER

About the Stade Municipal
The Stade Municipal was originally opened in 1949 as a multi-sport venue. The stadium is a classical shape, with two side stands (the Honneur Nord and Sud) and two curved stands behind the goals.

The stadium is often used as the venue for some of the big Rugby matches by Stade Toulouse, such as their Heineken Cup match versus London Wasps in January 2006 (see picture left). The venue will also be used for five matches in the 2007 Rugby World Cup Finals.

The stadium was also one of the host venues used in the 1998 World Cup Finals, where it was the venue for six games including England’s defeat by Romania. Whilst its capacity is relatively small at just over 36,000 for a major stadium, it is the biggest in this area of France.

The view from most areas is excellent – the curves behind the goal are not as pronounced as traditional athletic-type stadiums and so you are not far away from the action. In sunnier months, the setting sun can cause an issue for those in the East stand.

Who plays there?
Apart from the occasional big tournament game, the stadium is used by two teams – Stade Toulousain Rugby Club and FC Toulouse. Whilst there is no argument that the former are most successful – having won the European Cup on three occasions, they actually all bar their big matches at their own 19,000 Stade Ernest-Wallon close to the airport.

FC Toulouse meanwhile have been playing at the stadium in some form since its construction in 1937. The club has two clear periods of history. From 1937 until 1967 the team played as Toulouse Football Club, winning their only major honour in 1957 when they captured the Coupe de France. However, in 1967 the club “merged” with Red Star Olympique who were based in Paris and professional football disappeared from the streets of Toulouse.

In 1970 the club reformed as Union Sportive Toulouse and entered the second level of French football the following season. In 1977 they were able to reclaim the name FC Toulouse after the demise of Red Star. In 1982 they were promoted back to Ligue 1, and even managed a UEFA cup spot in 1984. However, history seemed to be on the verge of repeating itself in the late 1990’s as the club teetered on the edge of financial meltdown as they plunged down the leagues, ending up in league D2.

However, against all of the odds under Erick Mombaerts the club rose again through the leagues until they returned to the top division in 2004. The current squad of mainly young French players found life in 2007/08 very hard. After a defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League qualifying they never found their feet in the league and it took a last day last gasp win over Valeciennes to save them from relegation.

How to get there
The stadium is located to the south of the city centre, on an island in the middle of the Garonne River. It is easily walk able on a nice day, especially if you have been enjoying a long lunch around Pont Neuf or Rue du Metz. However, if you want to come by public transport then use either Metro line A to Arenes or line B to St Michel-Marcel. Both stations are within a 5 minute walk of the stadium. Allow around 30 minutes to reach the stadium from Matabiau station. Buses 1, 12, 34 and 52 also drop you off close to the stadium from the city centre.

For a better overview of watching football in Toulouse, go to Footiemap.com to view their excellent maps of the city.

Getting a ticket
In the past few seasons getting a ticket for a game at the Stade Municipal has never been an issue. In fact it was only a couple of seasons ago that Toulouse were in the second level of French football. In 2006 the club averaged just over 19,000. However that rose last season to close to 22,000 as the club challenged for a Champions League spot.

Tickets go on sale at a number of points. The club offers internet and personal bookings, as well as bookings over the phone on +33 3940. You can also get them from branches of Virgin Megastore and FNAC in the local area. Tickets range in price from €10.50 in the Visage’s to €36 in the Honneur Nord upper tier.

Getting around
The main way of getting around Toulouse is via the extensive bus system. However, the city is rapidly expanding its metro system, with a further 30 stations currently under construction on the four lines.

Nearest Airport –    Toulouse Blagnac (TLS)
Telephone:              +33 825 380 000
Website:                  http://www.toulouse.aeroport.fr

Toulouse airport is one of the busiest in France, and is also the home to Airbus – you get an excellent view of some of the new huge Airbus planes when you are landings and taking off. The airport is located around 20 miles north of the city centre.

There is a bus that runs from the airport to the main railway station every 20 minutes from 7.30am. Tickets cost €5.90 return, and the journey takes around 25 minutes. A taxi should cost no more than €25 for the same journey. The airport is served on a daily basis by BA and Easyjet from London Gatwick. Easyjet also fly here from Bristol. Jet2 have recently starting flying to Toulouse from Leeds/Bradford and Manchester. London Heathrow is served by BMI and Air France.