The Rugby Regulatory Authority (A2R) refused Nissa Rugby’s engagement in Pro D2 due to insufficient financial guarantees. The Nice club will appeal and affirms its desire to preserve the future of professional rugby in Nice.
The verdict was expected. The Rugby Regulatory Authority (A2R), the financial watchdog of the National Rugby League, refused on Friday Nissa Rugby’s engagement in Pro D2 following a hearing held by videoconference.
The promotion obtained on the field against Stade montois (31-26), during the promotion playoff disputed in May, is thus suspended pending an administrative procedure. The Nice club did not present the financial guarantees requested by the A2R, estimated at 4.6 million euros to secure the 2026-2027 season budget. According to several sources close to the matter, a deficit of approximately 2.5 million euros remains in a budget announced at just over 10 million euros.
This decision now opens a new chapter. In a statement published hours after the announcement, the leaders announce their intention to continue the fight.
“We announce our intention to appeal. This approach has the sole objective of giving Nice rugby a chance to survive and allowing all stakeholders to build, in the coming days, the conditions for a lasting solution.”
The club also mentions “an unprecedented threat” to its future and assures it will do everything possible to preserve its activity.
The statement recalls that this period directly concerns 850 licensed members, 120 employees of the SAS and the association, as well as volunteers, partners and supporters who contribute to the development of rugby in Nice.
The stadium project at the heart of discussions
Beyond the appeal procedure, Nissa Rugby places the infrastructure question at the center of the matter. The club believes that a sustainable project requires the construction of a stadium suited to its ambitions.
The leaders declare themselves ready to work with the city of Nice and all local authorities to implement the 12,000-seat stadium project announced by the municipality. According to the statement, this facility is “the key to the club’s economic future and its independence”.
The shareholders also reaffirm their financial commitment. Additional effort is announced to compensate for the shortfall caused by the absence of the 1,400-seat hospitality stand initially planned for the 2026-2027 season. The stated objective is to ensure the club’s economic balance until the delivery of the future stadium.
Nissa Rugby also welcomes the municipality’s decision to entrust Jean-Pierre Rivère, former president of OGC Nice and special adviser to mayor Éric Ciotti, with a support mission on the future of rugby in Nice. The club assures it wants to work with all stakeholders concerned to build a lasting solution.
An uncertain future still
The crisis occurs just days after the resignation of SASP president Jean-Baptiste Aldigé and Patrice Prévot, president of the association.
If the appeal procedure failed, the consequences would be particularly serious. The club indicates that a relegation to Régionale 3 would then be pronounced, which is the tenth level of French rugby.
The outcome of the appeal procedure will now determine the division in which Nissa Rugby will play next season. In case of failure, Stade montois, defeated in the promotion playoff, could be recalled to Pro D2. The battle continues now before the sporting authorities, with fifteen days to try to save the future of professional rugby in Nice.
For now, promotion to Pro D2 is therefore not definitely lost. The coming weeks will be decisive in determining the division in which Nissa Rugby will play. As a reminder, the season will begin in just over a month, on Thursday, August 27, with a theoretical first match for the red and blacks on Biarritz Olympique’s pitch.
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