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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Soccer

Olympique Lyonnais

Olympique Lyonnais (OL), commonly called Lyon, is a French professional football club based in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Olympique Lyonnais is a French football club based in Lyon, known for its seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles in the 2000s. The club, founded in 1950, remains a major force in French and European football.

What it is

Olympique Lyonnais (OL) is a professional football club based in Lyon, France. The men's team competes in Ligue 1 and has a storied history, including a record seven straight league titles from 2002 to 2008. The club also fields a highly successful women's team.

Why it matters

Lyon's seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles set a French record and established the club as a domestic powerhouse. Its women's team is among Europe's most dominant, and the men's side has reached the Champions League semi-finals twice, in 2009–10 and 2019–20.

Key details

The club plays at Parc Olympique Lyonnais (Groupama Stadium) in Décines-Charpieu, capacity 59,186. Its colours are white, red, and blue, and nicknames include Lyon, OL, and Les Gones. The current owner is Michele Kang.

In short

  • Founded in 1950, with roots dating to 1899.
  • Won seven straight Ligue 1 titles (2002–2008), a French record.
  • Women's team is among Europe's most successful.
  • Reached Champions League semi-finals in 2009–10 and 2019–20.
Canadian angle

Canadian readers may know Olympique Lyonnais through UEFA competitions, international transfers, and the club’s profile as one of France’s major football institutions.

Quick questions

What is Olympique Lyonnais?
Olympique Lyonnais is a French professional football club based in Lyon, best known for its men's team in Ligue 1 and its domestic success in the 2000s.
When was Olympique Lyonnais founded?
The club was founded in 1950.
How many Ligue 1 titles has Lyon won?
Lyon has won seven Ligue 1 titles, all in consecutive seasons from 2002 to 2008.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympique_Lyonnais
    Supports: Founding date, club identity, league, stadium, capacity, colours, honours, and European record.
  2. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympique_lyonnais
    Supports: Current club details such as nickname, stadium, ownership, and women’s team context.
  3. Arsenal FC — https://www.arsenal.com/news/everything-you-need-know-about-lyon
    Supports: Founding date, seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles, and historical rise in French football.