The French rugby team will play the next Six Nations Tournament (February 2-March 16) for the first time in its history in three different regions.
Fabien Galthié's Blues will play their first opening match against Ireland this Friday, February 2 at the Vélodrome in Marseille before welcoming Italy to the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq on Sunday, February 25 (4 p.m.) for the 3rd day.
The French XV will then challenge England for an explosive
“Crunch”
at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon on Saturday March 16 (9 p.m.) to close the Tournament.
To discover
Ranking Tournament 6 of Nations
Calendar and results 6 Nations
The reason for these relocations is simple.
The Stade de France is getting a makeover in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Lawn, athletics tracks, new giant screens, 5G installed... The construction of the Stade de France began shortly after the World Cup final won by South Africa against New Zealand on October 28.
The venue will definitely have to hand over the keys to the Paris 2024 organization on June 1st.
The race against time has already started.
A relocation that does not suit the FFR
“It's practically 2 million euros per match on the two big posters of Ireland and England
,” declared Claude Helias, the general treasurer of the FFR.
Because yes, the planned relocations will not resolve the (very) significant deficit of the Federation (announced at 40 million euros).
The latter should rely on revenues estimated at 4 million euros by depriving itself of the 80,000 places in the Dyonisian enclosure.
To fill this gap, the FFR submitted a request for compensation to the organizing committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Cojop) of Paris 2024.
The Blues of football will also have several relocated meetings.
On March 23, Deschamps' men will host Germany in Lyon before challenging Chile three days later in Marseille.
Mbappé and his team will have two other matches in June against opponents to be determined, in Bordeaux then in Metz.