Written by Ashwin Smith
The Rugby World Cup 2023 matches will be played in nine of the most beautiful stadiums in France. From the world famous Stade de France to Municipal Toulouse, a real rugby stadium. In this blog we highlight them for you one by one.
1. Stade de France, Saint-Denis
2. Stade Velodrome, Marseille
3. Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
4. Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
5. Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux
6. Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne
7. Allianz Riviera, Nice
8. Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
9. Stadium Municipal Toulouse, Toulouse
The Stade de France is France’s national stadium in the largest stadium used during Rugby World Cup 2023. The capacity of 80,000 spectators is the reason why the two semi-finals and the final are played here.
Stade de France is located just north of Paris, in the suburb of Saint-Denis. It was opened in 1998 for the World Cup and is regularly used by the national rugby team of France. On Friday, September 8, Rugby World Cup 2023 starts here with the spectacular opening match between France and New Zealand.
The Stade Vélodrome was opened in 1937 and has since been renovated several times. Since 1970 it has been the home of Olympique Marseille. Also Rugby Club Toulonnais plays on this ground during major matches. The stadium has a special design with a wavy roof and is based on a prime location: in the city center of Marseille, not far from the Old Port.
Like Stade de France, Stade Vélodrome is also regularly used by the national rugby team of France. Two quarter-finals were played here during Rugby World Cup 2007. That will be the case again in 2023. During the pool phase, England against Argentina is scheduled for September 9 at Stade Vélodrome.
Parc Olympique Lyonnais (OL Stadium) was not yet built at the time of Rugby World Cup 2007. This modern stadium, completed in 2015, has build a great history of rugby matches in a short time. In 2016, the finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup and the European Rugby Challenge Cup were organized here.
French rugby fans know the way to the stadium, which is officially called Groupama Stadium. On May 25, 2018, no fewer than 58,664 people attended the match between Montpellier HR and Lyon OU in the Top 14, the highest rugby competition in France.
New Zealand plays in Parc OL twice in the pool phase of the tournament. On Friday, September 29 against Italy and on Thursday, October 5 against Americas 1.
In Lille, the city in the north of France on the border of Belgium, we find a stadium called Stade Pierre-Mauroy. This stadium, named after a former mayor of the city, is used by football club Lille OSC and can accommodate more than 50,000 spectators. The roof can be closed, so that matches can be played in bad weather conditions.
Scotland (September 30) and France (September 14) play a pool phase match here, England even two (September 27 and October 7).
Football club Girondins de Bordeaux plays its home games here. The semi-finals of the national French rugby competition were played here in 2014/2015. In 2016, this stadium was one of the venues for the European Football Championship, an event that Irish sports fans have fond memories of.
In the pool phase of Rugby World Cup 2023, five matches will be played in Matmut Atlantique. Ireland, Wales and South Africa, among others, will compete on this ground in Bordeaux.
In Saint-Étienne they have enough experience in organizing tournaments. The Stade Geoffroy Guichard has already organized matches for various football tournaments, such as the 1984 and 2016 European Championships and the 1998 World Cup. Three matches were played here during Rugby World Cup 2007.
Normally football club AS Saint-Étienne plays on the field of Stade Geoffroy Guichard. The stadium is then called ” the boiler” or “the green hell”. During Rugby World Cup 2023, supporters from Australia will the stands during matches on Sunday, September 17 against Fiji and Sunday, October 1 against the last winner of the qualification.
It will not surprise you anymore, but als many other Rugby World Cup 2023 stadiums Allianz Riviera in Nice is normally being used for football matches. OGC Nice may call the stadium its home since it opened in 2013. Because of its multifunctionality, Rugby Club Toulonnais also regularly plays here.
There are four Rugby World Cup 2023 pool phase matches of different teams on the program. The match of September 17 between England and Japan has already been announced. The opponents of Wales, Italy and Scotland still need to qualify.
Stade de la Beaujoire in the western port city Nantes is not only a football stadium but also a real rugby stadium. On November 15, 1986, the French national team beat New Zealand 16-3 on this location, a memorable victory. In 2007, three matches were played at Stade de la Beaujoire and in 2023, four pool phase matches will be played.
On October 8, 2023, Stade de la Beajoire will be the pool of Japan – Argentina in Pool D. We can certainly provide you with a place, because FC Nantes’ stadium can accommodate nearly 40,000 people.
In the south of France, towards the border with Spain, the Stadium de Toulouse is located in a special place: on an island in the river Garonne. The stadium, also known as Stadium Municipal, has build on this charming location near the city center in 1937.
Rugby club Stade Toulousain plays matches in Stadium de Toulouse for the European Rugby Champions Cup and the Top 14. The French national rugby team played here in 2009 an international match against South Africa. France won 20–13.
During Rugby World Cup 2023, Stadium de Toulouse will host five pool phase matches, including two from Japan.
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