On the morning of July 24th, the Marseille Stadium, where France’s men’s Olympic football team will face the USA in their first match on July 25th, was surprisingly quiet. Shops and restaurants in the surrounding area were almost empty, lacking the usual buzz associated with a major sporting event.
RMC Sport reported that on the morning of the 24th, Marseille residents seemed indifferent to their team’s Olympic debut. The facilities around the stadium were sparsely populated.
The lack of excitement even surprised two Belgian tourists: “We came here as usual, but it’s very quiet, not at all the lively scene we expected. We even wondered if the Olympics were actually about to start. It’s quite shocking!”
Adding to the lackluster atmosphere, organizers implemented traffic restrictions around the Stade Vélodrome (formerly Stade de Marseille) to ensure smooth Olympic operations. Some parking lots were also closed, which heightened residents’ frustrations. One resident remarked: “It’s very difficult to get around now. Thankfully, I have a bike.”
Journalists spoke with local restaurant owners, who expressed pessimism about the current situation. They reported a significant drop in customer numbers in their restaurants and on their terraces. One owner told reporters, “In past years, this place was always packed. We used to have 150 to 200 tables a day. Now, we’re lucky to have 15.” “People are worried about the situation here. Some are concerned about the lack of parking, others about traffic. This used to be a lively place, but now it’s deserted.”
Regarding hotel occupancy rates, the average occupancy across Marseille hotels is currently 65%, a 15% decrease compared to the same period last year. It appears they are unlikely to see a significant boost in revenue from the Olympics.
The Stade Vélodrome is scheduled to host a total of 10 matches during the Olympics, including group stage and semi-final matches for both men’s and women’s football. At present, there are still tickets available for these matches.
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