This Tuesday, May 25th, a press conference was held to formalize the signing of the partnership agreement between the department of Alpes-Maritimes and the Organizing Committee of the Rugby World Cup “France 2023”. This was an opportunity for those involved to provide some figures and information in the presence of Sébastien Chabal, ambassador of “France 2023”.
“An exceptional event,” explains Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Council. Economic returns on French soil are expected to reach 1.2 billion Euros. A significant impact, with hopes of gathering between 20 and 60 million Euros from each match. A genuine financial boon from which the Alpes-Maritimes department will benefit since part of it will be directly reinvested in the development of local rugby. An economic but also social phenomenon! Indeed, 17,000 jobs will be created and nearly 3,000 young people will be hired and trained!
Four matches will be played between September 8 and October 21, 2023, at the Allianz Riviera for this occasion. Two major weekends to optimize the tourist impact. Claude Atcher, General Director of “France 2023” and also former flanker for Racing or Nîmes, recalls the British attraction to the Côte d’Azur and explains that “65% of the Alpes-Maritimes tickets have been sold to residents of Great Britain.” He also mentions the success of ticket sales, with a million tickets sold in three afternoons.
Finally, three teams will be offered sports complexes to stay during the competition. Claude Atcher also discusses the potential arrival of the French team in the capital of the Côte d’Azur. The choice will be made by the coach and Bernard Lacombe, president of the FFR.
Subsequently, Sébastien Chabal, ambassador of France 2023, discusses the bicentennial of the sport in 2023 and its founder William Webb Ellis (buried in Menton) and highlights that the French team is “full of talent.” According to him, this team will not have to be ashamed against the All Blacks, who might need to approach this match more cautiously than the French.
