Exploring the Rugby World Cup 2023: A guide to the nine stadiums.

Rugby World Cup 2023 stadiums: Your guide to the nine venues

The Rugby World Cup gets underway tonight when France play New Zealand, marking the start of an exciting tournament that will culminate with the final at the Stade de France on October 28. Throughout the competition, stadiums across France will showcase the skills of the world’s best rugby teams. In this guide, we will take a closer look at each venue, their capacities, and their significance in the world of rugby.

Stade de Bordeaux

The Stade de Bordeaux, with a capacity of 42,060, is the largest sports arena in the south-west of France. Built in 2015, this stadium has hosted numerous important sporting events, including the semi-finals of the Top 14 play-offs and matches during UEFA Euro 2016. During the Rugby World Cup 2023, it will be the venue for several group-stage fixtures, such as Ireland v Romania and Wales v Fiji.

Stade Pierre Mauroy

The Stade Pierre Mauroy, with a capacity of 50,096, was originally built for the city’s football team, Lille OSC. It has been a host venue for various sporting events, including rugby matches, since its opening in 2012. The stadium’s unique design allows for easy configuration to accommodate different events. It has also hosted high-profile music concerts and will be the venue for group-stage fixtures such as France v Uruguay and England v Chile.

Ol Stadium

The Ol Stadium, with a capacity of 58,883, is the home of Olympique Lyonnais and has been a host venue for international events, including rugby matches, since its opening in 2016. It has gained a reputation for its impressive facilities and atmosphere. This stadium will host the highly anticipated match between Wales and Australia during the Rugby World Cup 2023.

Stade de Marseille

The Stade de Marseille is a historic stadium with a capacity of 67,847. It has undergone multiple renovations since its opening in 1937 and has been a venue for various sports, including rugby. It hosted two quarter-final matches during the 2007 Rugby World Cup and has a rich rugby pedigree. This year, it will host four pool matches, including England vs Argentina and France vs Africa Cup 2022 winners.

Stade de La Beaujoire

The Stade de La Beaujoire, with a capacity of 35,520, opened in 1984 and is the home of Ligue 1 side FC Nantes. It has a significant place in rugby history, as it hosted one of the most iconic matches of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where Fiji famously beat Wales. The stadium will host several group-stage fixtures during the Rugby World Cup 2023, including Ireland v Tonga and Japan v Argentina.

Stade de Nice

The Stade de Nice, with a capacity of 35,983, is the home of Ligue 1 club OGC Nice and has been a host venue for major international tournaments, such as the UEFA Euro 2016 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019. It will host four pool-stage matches during the Rugby World Cup 2023, including England v Japan, creating an exciting opportunity for fans to see Eddie Jones face his old side.

Stade de France

The Stade de France, with a capacity of 80,023, is France’s national football and rugby stadium. This iconic stadium has hosted numerous important matches, including the FIFA World Cup and the Rugby World Cup. It will be the venue for several group-stage fixtures, as well as both semi-finals, the bronze final, and the final. The opening match between France and New Zealand is one that fans eagerly anticipate.

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard

The Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, with a capacity of 41,965, is the oldest stadium selected for the Rugby World Cup 2023. It has undergone renovations ahead of major football tournaments and has hosted important rugby matches in the past. During the World Cup, it will host four matches, featuring teams like Australia, Argentina, Fiji, Italy, and Samoa.

Stadium de Toulouse

The Stadium de Toulouse, with a capacity of 33,103, is a historic ground that was originally built for the 1938 FIFA World Cup. It has hosted matches during major football tournaments and has a strong association with rugby. During the Rugby World Cup 2023, it will be the venue for group-stage fixtures, including New Zealand v Namibia and Japan v Samoa.

In conclusion, the Rugby World Cup 2023 stadiums in France offer a diverse range of capacities and histories. Each venue has its own unique characteristics that contribute to the aura of this prestigious tournament. Whether it is the iconic Stade de France or the historic Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, rugby fans can look forward to witnessing memorable matches in these esteemed stadiums.