Olympique de Marseille is one of French football’s most famous clubs. Both on and off the pitch, the team has made headlines for decades, not least on account of its domestic and European success.
Founded in 1899, the club has won the French top-flight title eleven times in the professional era, lifted the Coupe de France ten times and in 1993 became the first French club to win the Champions League.
But Olympique de Marseille’s identity extends well beyond its trophy cabinet. The club’s relationship with the city of Marseille, its passionate supporters and the CEPAC Vélodrome it calls its home have created a distinct football culture. Every set of fans claims to be more loyal than those of any other club, but OM’s supporters warrant a special mention. There’s no other supporter group in France quite like them.
Olympique de Marseille History
Olympique de Marseille was founded on 31 August 1899 by René Dufaure de Montmirail, developing from the Football Club de Marseille, which had been established two years earlier. The club adopted the motto “Droit au But” – “Straight to Goal” – which remains associated with Olympique de Marseille today.
Olympique de Marseille initially established itself within regional football before emerging nationally, reaching the final of the USFSA championship in 1919. Major silverware followed during the 1920s including Coupe de France victories in 1924, 1926 and 1927.
Olympique de Marseille became a significant force in the professional era of French football, winning championships in 1929, 1937 and 1948 and adding further Coupe de France victories. Striker Gunnar Andersson, who played for Olympique de Marseille in the 1950s, established a club scoring record that still stands. He’s Olympique de Marseille’s all-time leading scorer with 194 goals.
Another successful period arrived around the beginning of the ‘70s. Olympique de Marseille won consecutive French championships in 1971 and 1972, with prolific Croatian forward Josip Skoblar central to the team. Olympique de Marseille also completed a league-and-Coupe de France double in 1972.
The club’s defining period, however, arrived after businessman Bernard Tapie became president in 1986. Olympique de Marseille assembled a squad containing leading French and international players and dominated the domestic game around the turn of the decade.
Olympique de Marseille won five consecutive recognised league titles between 1989 and 1993 and reached the European Cup final in 1991, losing to Red Star Belgrade on penalties. Jean-Pierre Papin, Chris Waddle, Abedi Pelé, Didier Deschamps and Basile Boli were among the legendary players associated with this era.
Then came the achievement that remains unique in French football history when, on 26 May 1993, Olympique de Marseille defeated AC Milan 1-0 in Munich to win the inaugural competition under the UEFA Champions League name. Basile Boli scored the only goal with a first-half header, making Olympique de Marseille the first French club to win Europe’s leading club competition.
More recently in Europe, Olympique de Marseille reached a UEFA Europa League final in 2018, losing to Atlético Madrid, and the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals in 2022.
Olympique de Marseille Trophies and Honours
Olympique de Marseille’s major recognised honours include nine professional French top-flight championships, ten Coupes de France, three Coupes de la Ligue and one UEFA Champions League. UEFA also recognises Olympique de Marseille as a winner of the 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup.
| Competition | Titles | Winning years / seasons |
| European Cup / UEFA Champions League | 1 | 1992/93 |
| French professional top-flight championship | 11 | 1929, 1937, 1948, 1971, 1972, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2010 |
| Coupe de France | 10 | 1924, 1926, 1927, 1935, 1938, 1943, 1969, 1972, 1976, 1989 |
| Coupe de la Ligue | 3 | 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| Thophées des Champions | 3 | 1971, 2010, 2011 |
| UEFA Intertoto Cup | 1 | 2005 |
Olympique de Marseille Fans and Football Culture
Olympique de Marseille’s identity is closely connected to Marseille itself and to the club’s highly organised supporter culture. The physical centre of that relationship is naturally the CEPAC Vélodrome, Olympique de Marseille’s home since 1937. Its two ends, the Virage Nord and Virage Sud, contain several long-established supporter groups.
Chants, flags, tifos, and a boisterous away support are all established elements of this culture. The stadium has changed considerably since Olympique de Marseille first moved there in 1937 but it remains the club’s physical and spiritual home.
While Olympique de Marseille’s history has alternated between periods of sustained success and rebuilding, it remains synonymous with the Olympique de Marseille initials, the team’s white and blue colours, Droit au But, and the memory of the 1993 European victory.
Olympique de Marseille and Fan Engagement
Supporters have historically expressed their relationship with Olympique de Marseille primarily through match attendance, joining supporter groups, organising displays, and away travel. Digital platforms have expanded those possibilities however.
Supporters can now interact with clubs through online content and digital experiences regardless of whether they can regularly attend matches in Marseille. The new OM Fan Token® is one example of this form of digital engagement, giving supporters access to selected interactive experiences connected with Olympique de Marseille.
Olympique de Marseille History, Trophies and Players FAQ
What is Olympique de Marseille known for?
Its passionate supporters, relationship with the city of Marseille, its rivalry with PSG and its 1993 Champions League victory.
When was Olympique de Marseille founded?
René Dufaure de Montmirail founded the club on 31 August 1899 as a successor to the Football Club de Marseille.
How many trophies has Olympique de Marseille won?
Major recognised honours include eleven professional top-flight titles, ten Coupes de France, three Coupes de la Ligue, three Trophées des Champions and one UEFA Champions League and the 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup. Olympique de Marseille’s own honours list also includes other French championship and domestic super cup honours.
Who are Olympique de Marseille’s most famous players?
Gunnar Andersson, Josip Skoblar, Jean-Pierre Papin, Chris Waddle, Abedi Pelé, Basile Boli, Didier Deschamps, Didier Drogba, Franck Ribéry, Mamadou Niang and Dimitri Payet to name but a few.
Who is Olympique de Marseille’s all-time top scorer?
Gunnar Andersson is Olympique de Marseille’s all-time leading scorer with 194 competitive goals.
What is Stade Vélodrome?
Stade Vélodrome is the historic name of Olympique de Marseille’s home stadium. The ground was commercially known as the Orange Vélodrome from 2016 and became the CEPAC Vélodrome in 2026
