Founded in 1906 in the mining town of Lens in northern France, the club's "Sang et Or" (Blood and Gold) colours embody the working-class pride of the region. Two-time league champions (1956, 1998), Lens spent 2014-2020 in Ligue 2 before a remarkable resurgence.

After promotion, Lens rose rapidly — finishing 2nd in 2022-23 to qualify for the Champions League. The fairy tale of a small-town club powered by passionate supporters captivated French football.

Stade Bollaert-Delelis (38,223 capacity) holds more than the town's entire population (~30,000). Tickets are perennially sold out, and the atmosphere ranks among the most intense in France. The mining community's spirit of solidarity permeates the stadium, making it a fortress for the home side.