Why the France XV will not play its matches at the Stade de France

The French rugby team will play the upcoming Six Nations tournament (February 2-March 16) in three different regions for the first time in its history. Fabien Galthié’s Blues will play their first opener against Ireland this Friday, February 2 at the Velodrome in Marseille and welcome Italy to the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascès on Sunday, February 25 (4pm) for the 3rd leg.^E

Time of Day will challenge England after France’s XV “Crunch” Explosive at the Grupma stadium in Lyon on Saturday 16 March (9pm) at the end of the tournament.

The reason for this transfer is simple. The Stade de France is undergoing a makeover in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Lawns, athletics tracks, new giant screens, 5G installed… The construction of the Stade de France started immediately after New Zealand won the World Cup final against South Africa on 28 October. The venue will definitely have to hand over the keys to the Paris 2024 organization on the 1st.^er Next June. The race against time has begun.

Restoration that does not conform to the FFR

“That’s about 2 million euros per match on the two big posters in Ireland and England”, declared Claude Heliason, General Treasurer of the FFR. Because yes, the planned transfers will not solve the Federation’s (very) significant deficit (announced at 40 million euros). The latter must rely on an estimated revenue of 4 million euros, depriving itself of 80,000 places in the Dionysian enclosure. To fill this gap, the FFR submitted a request for compensation to the Organizing Committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP).

Football Blues will also have repositioned seats in many places. On March 23, Deschamps’ men host Germany in Lyon before taking on Chile three days later in Marseille. Mbappé and his team will play two more matches against opponents in June to decide, in Bordeaux then in Metz.