Is Clermont-Ferrand a real football city? No. Does Clermont Foot have a rich history as a football club? No, it does not either. But the Stade Gabriel Montpied is the most special stadium in Ligue 1, and Clermont Foot is very likeable anyway.
When you think of Clermont-Ferrand, football probably didn't cross your mind. If you think of the city in Central France in terms of sports, most people think of the city being a regular finish line for Tour de France stages, or because of the respected rugby club. Local football team Clermont Foot usually didn't attract more than 3000 fans to the stadium before the covid pandemic. But the tables turned when Clermont Foot 63 was promoted to Ligue 1 for the first time in the club's history.
Stade Gabriel-Montpied, located in the northern part of Clermont-Ferrand, can be seen from far away. The big arch construction - which symbolizes the human eye - contrasts heavily with the green hills of the Auvergne. There are barely any buildings surrounding the stadium either. Coming closer, you might wonder where they left the rest of the stadium. The arch is part of a giant main stand, but nothing else was built. The other three stands are small and uncovered. The plan is to complete the stadium and turn Gabriel Montpied into a multifunctional arena with 30.000 seats. But first, Clermont Foot needs to become a regular Ligue 1 side.
If you consider Clermont Foot as being an old or a young club, depends on which criteria you use. The precursor of the club, Stade Clermontois, was already founded in 1911. But after the second bankruptcy in 1990, they changed the name to the current one. Stade Clermontois played at the Stade Philippe-Marcombes, in the south of Clermont-Ferrand, for years and the first game of Clermont Foot in 1990 was played there as well. The stadium at the Avenue de la Libération 121 has been completely renovated in recent years. They removed the velodrome surrounding the pitch, but Stade Clermontois still plays their home matches here.
In het crest of Clermont Foot, you will notice the silhouette of a knight in shining armour. It's Vercingetorix, a Gaulish king from the Auvergne who fought against the Romans. It's an image that every Clermontois recognizes, because on the central Place de Jaude, you'll find a giant statue of Vercingetorix. On this square the biggest sports victories of the city are celebrated - earlier, 100.000 fans of the rugby team already came to celebrate the national title. An amazing sight, with Vercingetorix high above the crowd, with a sword in his hand.
As for now, the football club Clermont Foot can't live up to rugby club ASM Clermont of the city in terms of success, but still, both teams like to team up a little. In 2017, they opened a training ground together, in the south of the city. ASM Clermont currently has the biggest stadium in Clermont-Ferrand, Stade Marcel Michelin. Clermont Football used to play their home matches here as well, in the 1980s. The surprisingly fun stadium is located at the Rue du Clos Four.
For home games of Clermont Foot, you can buy your tickets at the official website of the club. Make sure to get them early. Given the small capacity of Gabriel Montpied, matches are quickly sold out.
Stade Gabriel Montpied is in the north of Clermont-Ferrand and easy to reach by car: it's not far from motorway A71. When you go by public transport, the connections are very good as well. Tramline A goes from the city centre directly to the station Stade Gabriel Montpied, which is right in front of the stadium.
Images: Shutterstock, BSR Agency
