Founded in 1899, the name "Olympique" pays tribute to the ancient Greeks who settled Marseille (then Massalia) in the 6th century BC. With nine league titles and the most passionate supporter base in France, Marseille stand as one of the nation's greatest clubs.

Their crowning glory came in 1993 with a UEFA Champions League triumph — still the only French club to have lifted the trophy. However, a match-fixing scandal immediately followed, resulting in forced relegation to Ligue 2 in 1994. Since their return, Marseille have been in the top flight for 29 consecutive seasons.

Opened in 1937, the Stade Velodrome holds 67,394 — the second-largest football venue in France. Originally a multi-sport facility with a cycling track, it was converted to a football-only ground in the 1980s. A major renovation ahead of UEFA Euro 2016 added a dramatic roof structure.

Marseille's ultras create an atmosphere often described as the most intense in French football. The wall of noise from behind the goal is a formidable challenge for visiting teams. The stadium also served as a venue for the 2024 Paris Olympics football tournament.

The fixture between PSG and Marseille, known as Le Classique, is French football's biggest rivalry. It stems from the cultural tension between the capital Paris and the Mediterranean port city of Marseille. Since PSG's Qatari takeover, Marseille's fans have positioned their club as "the real club of France," using the Velodrome's ferocious atmosphere as their ultimate weapon against PSG's financial might.