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The host nation for Rugby World Cup 2023 will be determined this year. In the running are three unions – France, Ireland and South Africa. All have hosted in some capacity in the past. Should the French bid be successful it would make 2023 the biggest ever Rugby World Cup.
In looking to be the first ever European solo host the France is set to take matches to all corners of the hexagon. It would make what a a hugely profitable event in 2027 pale by comparison and with it England 2015 drop to second place in attendance and financial gain.
England 2015 featured thirteen stadiums. Twelve of these were based in England and one in Wales. Of those in England three were in London. The northern half of the country had three venues but only received six of the 48 matches. More games than this were played in Cardiff, Wales.
With a total of 2,477,805 tickets sold there was an average of 51,621 per match. This was close to double that of New Zealand 2011 and was above the 2,263,223 spectators from France 2007 (47,150 per match). Indeed 2015 was the highest in Rugby World Cup history.
France 2023 now promises to be even bigger. The selected venues are larger than those selected by Ireland. Included are the same ten French cities from Rugby World Cup 2007 – Bordeaux, Lyon, Lens, Marseilles, Montpellier, Nantes, Paris, St. Denis, St. Etienne and Toulouse.
Added for 2023 are Grenoble, Le Havre Le Mans, Lille, Nanterre, Nice, Rennes and Sochaux Montbelliard. It gives France 19 options for venues. Included are all venues which hosted soccer’s Euro 2016. Of note is rugby has been played in all cities with either the French test team of Top 14 matches having been played in front of at, or near, full-houses.
Compared to England 2015 the French 2023 is very much nationwide. The Hauts-de-France, bordering Belgium has three venues to consider – Lens, Lille and Valenciennes. Lens hosted three matches in Rugby World Cup 2007. It also hosted Argentina’s historic win over Ireland in Rugby World Cup 1999. Los Pumas played in Lille in 2012.
The Normandy and Brittany regions in France’s north-west have Le Havre and Rennes listed. France hosted Tonga in a test in Le Havre in 2013. Rennes hosted both Semi Finals of the 2015-2016 Top 14.
South of Noramndy and Brittany is the Pays de la Loire region. It has two cities selected by the FFR – Le Mans and Nantes. Both have hosted Top 14 matches. Nantes hosted three matches in Rugby World Cup 2007, including Canada vs Wales.
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region has Bordeaux as its venue. In Rugby World Cup 2007 Bordeaux received four matches. Canada had the opportunity to play at the Stade Chaban Delmas against both Australia and Japan. For 2023 the larger Nouvelle Stade would be the venue.
The two largest urban centers of Occitanie have been identified by the FFR. Both Toulouse and Montpellier hosted four matches in Rugby World Cup 2007. The USA played against South Africa and Tonga in Montpellier.
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region has Marseilles and Nice named as finalists in consideration to host matches. Both are no strangers to rugby with former Pumas captain Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe having played in both for Toulon.
To the north is the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is the second most populated region after the capital and has three venues listed. Both Lyon and St. Etienne hosted three matches in Rugby World Cup 2007. Argentina faced Georgia in Lyon and the USA took on Samoa in St. Etienne. Lyon’s 2023 venue would be change from 2007. The region’s third venue is Grenoble, a city to have hosted Canada vs Samoa this past November.
In the Grand Est region bordering Germany and Switzerland is one venue. Socheaux Montbelliard hosted test rugby in 2008. France played host to the composite Fiji, Samoa and Tonga side, the Pacific Islanders.
Lastly the French capital’s region has three finalized venues. They are the Parc des Princes, Stade de France and Arena 92. The latter is under construction. It will be the home of Racing 92. The two others hosted matches in 2007. Argentina defeated France at both venues en route to winning Bronze.
The vast range of venues indicate that France means business. It also makes the possibility of an expanded tournament to 24 teams entirely plausible, should World Rugby seek expansion.
