The next derby between AS Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais, scheduled for 20 April, will be played with closed windows, reflecting an unprecedented enthusiasm among supporters. The ticket office, which was gradually opened to subscribers, premium members and Ligue 2 subscription holders, was quickly exhausted, as ASSE subscribers saturated the various areas of the stadium, including the South and North Kops, the lower Henri Point stand, balconies and corners. This exceptional influx, far beyond the scope of a simple championship match, highlights an enormous passion for this major sporting event.

The rapid exhaustion of the available seats is reviving the prospect of a new peak for the current season. The previous record, set in the match against Paris Saint-Germain with 37,108 spectators, could be surpassed, all the more so since a decision on the usual venue for Lyon fans is still pending. Given the ban on travel for OL fans, this area could exceptionally be open to Stéphanois fans, which could potentially lead to overriding the symbolic bar of 40,000 spectators.

As a reminder, previous meetings at Geoffroy-Guichard this season have already recorded notable crowds: ASSE – Paris Saint-Germain (37,108 spectators), ASSE – RC Lens (36,832 spectators), ASSE – Olympic of Marseille (35,350 spectators), ASSE – RC Strasbourg (33,043 spectators) and ASSE – Montpellier (33,008 spectators). These figures illustrate the constant fervour that animates the Stéphanois public, and suggest a memorable event for the derby against Olympique Lyonnais.