Yesterday, the public interest group #France 2023 visited Nice to present the partnership agreement between the City of Nice, represented by José Cobos, Deputy Mayor in charge of sports events, and the public interest group for the organization of the Rugby World Cup 2023.
After the Euro 2016 soccer tournament and the Women’s World Cup in 2019, it is now the turn of a major rugby competition to settle in 2023 in the azure city. Indeed, the Rugby World Cup will take place in five years in France. Nice will have the privilege of hosting four matches of the competition at the Allianz Riviera. This is an opportunity for the city to promote rugby on territory more accustomed to soccer. “The city of Nice knows how to host major events; we have experience. We will host four matches but will do more than that. We will introduce rugby throughout the region,” said José Cobos, Deputy Mayor in charge of sports events.
A symbolic territory for rugby
Numerous activities are expected to be organized to promote rugby and its values. “Unlike soccer, we will not have a fan zone. We prefer that cities offer activities more centered on rugby values, such as exhibitions, tournaments, or rugby villages,” explained Claude Atcher, General President of the 2023 World Cup organizing committee. It is an opportunity to better highlight the region’s clubs, such as Stade Niçois and Grasse, both in the third division. It is also an opportunity to be closer to the one described as the founder of rugby, William Webb Ellis, who is buried in Menton Cemetery. “The founder of rugby rests not far from here, it is also symbolic to be able to bring the World Cup here,” emphasizes Claude Atcher.
A longer-term vision
The primary objective is to further introduce the oval ball to the people of the Côte d’Azur during the four matches that will take place at the Allianz Riviera and through the proposed activities. But the work doesn’t stop there. “The profits from the competition will go entirely to actions for the development of rugby, whether it be equipment, training, or infrastructure,” announced the president of France 2023.
The city thus has five more years to offer residents of the Côte d’Azur and tourists activities around rugby. Five years is both a long and short time. One thing is certain, Nice is gradually establishing itself as a major city for organizing sporting events in France.
Pierre Ferrand
