RUGBY WORLD CUPStadiums
Nine of the finest rugby stadiums in France will host matches at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. From Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille to Stade de Marseille in Marseille, stadiums across the country will play host to the world's finest rugby teams.
While nine different stadiums will host games, the Stade de France in Saint-Denis will host both semi-finals, the bronze final and the final itself. At this iconic sporting arena, more than 80,000 fans will be able to pack in and watch the action unfold.
From Saint-Étienne to Nantes and Toulouse, some of France's finest venues will function as Rugby World Cup stadiums in 2023. Learn more about each of these fabulous sporting venues below.
Rugby World Cup stadiums in focus
Saint-Denis (Paris)Stade de France
The 80,000-seater Stade de France is France’s national football and rugby stadium. As well as several pool-stage games, this iconic stadium will host two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the bronze final and the final.
MarseilleStade de Marseille
Stade de Marseille is one of the oldest stadiums in France. Since it first opened its doors in 1937, the stadium has hosted a number of major sporting events, including two quarter-final matches at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. This time around, it will host four pool-stage games and two quarter-finals.
LyonOL Stadium
OL Stadium, which is also known as Parc Olympique Lyonnais, is the third-largest stadium in France. In the past, it has hosted the European Rugby Challenge Cup final and several major football matches. For the 2023 Rugby World Cup, almost 60,000 fans will be able to pack into the ground for each game, including the highly anticipated match between Wales and Australia.
LilleStade Pierre-Mauroy
Stade Pierre-Mauroy is an ultra-modern venue with a retractable roof. For the Rugby World Cup, more than 50,000 spectators can pack into the venue for top matches like France against Uruguay.
When it isn’t hosting rugby matches, the stadium comes with a unique feature: half of the pitch can slide back over the other to transform the ground into an arena for concerts.
BordeauxStade de Bordeaux
Stade de Bordeaux, which is also known as Matmut Atlantique, is ultra-modern. With 42,115 seats available, this Rugby World Cup stadium is the largest sports arena in the south-west of France.
Saint-ÉtienneStade Geoffroy-Guichard
Having already hosted games at Rugby World Cup 2007 and UEFA Euro 2016, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard will once again welcome fans for matches at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. During the tournament, it will host several high-profile games, including Australia vs Fiji.
NiceStade de Nice
Nice was recently at the centre of an international celebration in 2016, when the city hosted major football matches at the UEFA Euros.
In 2023, Stade de Nice will host four pool-stage games at the Rugby World Cup, including England against Japan. Known as being one of the most environmentally-friendly stadiums in Europe, Stade de Nice will welcome more than 35,000 fans for each game.
NantesStade de la Beaujoire
Stade de la Beaujoire is set to host four pool-stage games at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, including the highly-anticipated clash between Japan and Argentina. In 2007, the stadium performed similar duties and hosted several high-scoring games, including a match where France scored 87 points against Namibia.