A visit to the Stade Louis II stadium in Monaco to watch AS Monaco play a French Ligue 1 game. AS Monaco FC Matchday experience.

Watch an AS Monaco game at Stade Louis II

Stade Louis II is the biggest stadium in Monaco.  Reasons to visit the Stade Louis II are;

  • French Ligue 1 champions of 2017, AS Monaco play home games there
  • Top French teams such as Paris SG and Marseille regularly visit
  • AS Monaco often play against Europes best teams in the Champions League
  • IAAF Diamond league have an annual meet here

You can buy your match day tickets online or at the stadium.  It’s most convenient to buy them at the stadium right before the match.  I only recommend buying them online in advance if they’re playing a popular team.  If you want to see more of the stadium, you can take stadium tour in the summer.

Location

AS Monaco FC - matchday experience - Stade Louis II - location

You could almost walk right past the Stade Louis II without realizing it’s a stadium.  The stadium gets its name from Prince Louis II of Monaco.  He was the prince of Monaco in 1939 when the original stadium was built.  It’s located in Western Monaco and it takes 20 minutes to walk there from the train station.  Because Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the world you can walk to the stadium from anywhere in the country.  If you walk west of the stadium you’ll be in France.

Stadium

AS Monaco FC - matchday experience - Stade Louis II - stadium

The Stade Louis II is the home of top French team AS Monaco.  It’s also the home of Monaco national team and athletics events are held here too.  The capacity of the stadium is over 18,000.  This means that half the population of Monaco could fit in the stadium.  The IAAF Diamond League have a meeting here annually.  There are guaranteed to be some world class athletes here for the meeting.  In 2017 Usain Bolt won the 100 m in the Stade Louis II.  Half of the population of Monaco did come to the stadium to see Bolt race!

AS Monaco Mascot

AS Monaco FC - matchday experience - Stade Louis II - Mascot

Bouba the mascot entertains the fans during the pre match build up.  Bouba wears a Monaco shirt with number 98 in honor of the royal family of Monaco.  Their post code is 98000.  If you’re going to watch the game with kids they’ll love Bouba the elephant.  He will come close to the stand so you can get a selfie with him.

Pre Match line up

AS Monaco FC - matchday experience - Stade Louis II - pre match line up

All the fans in the stadium get excited as the teams walk out.  The AS Monaco team is guaranteed to be full of stars.  The teams will come out with their mascots (young children).  Many kids dream of watching a professional football match.  If you know in advance you will be watching a match you could email and request your child gets to walk out with the players.

Matchday Atmosphere

AS Monaco FC - matchday experience - Stade Louis II - matchday atmosphere

As the stadium can hold up to half the country, it’s rarely full.  Would half of England turn up to watch Manchester United?  The answer is no, never!  There is a group of fanatics in the Monaco home supporters stand.  There is the lead fanatic, who stands on a podium and chooses which song to chant.  During the match I watched, there were around 30 fanatics in this group.  I’m sure there are more when they are playing in the Champions League or against Paris SG.  The €10 ticket gains you access to the Monaco home fans section.  If you choose this ticket then you’ll be able to watch the AS Monaco fanatics as part of your matchday experience.

AS Monaco

AS Monaco FC - matchday experience - Stade Louis II - AS Monaco FC

When I visited, AS Monaco were reigning French champions.  The match I watched was AS Monaco vs Guingamp FC.  The star I wanted to see was Colombian, Radamel Falcao.  Unfortunately he was not playing but AS Monaco still won the match 6-0.  Brazilian international defender Fabinho was playing and actually scored.

How to get to Stade Louis II from Nice

AS Monaco FC - matchday experience - Stade Louis II - how to get there from Nice

There is a regular train from Gare de Nice-Ville to Monaco Monte Carlo.  This service takes around 30 minutes and costs less than €8 return.  Stade Louis II is a 20 minute walk from the station.  If you are already in Monaco you’ll be able to walk to the stadium from anywhere in the country.  Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the world.

How to enjoy a matchday experience at the Allianz Riviera in Nice.  What to see and photograph in Monaco.