Parisian landmark Place de la Concorde will host a village dedicated to rugby throughout the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which takes place in France from 8 September to 28 October. Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Seine, unveiled the “Paris Rugby Village” programme and the city’s accessibility and eco-responsibility commitments.
The Paris Rugby Village will include a rugby entertainment and promotional area, plus two giant screens to broadcast RWC matches. And the number of screens will increase to four for the opening match on 8 September between France and New Zealand.
Visitors can enjoy entertainment and discovery areas, photo booths, the official France 2023 shop, exhibitions, and a central stage that will host the opening show as well as DJ sets and sporting and cultural performances. Catering areas and the “Bouillon” restaurant chain will be available for Parisians and visitors seeking refreshment.
The village will have a capacity of 15,000 visitors – and up to 39,000 on the opening day. If the French team qualifies for the finals, the village team will mobilise another 120 volunteers, including disabled support.
The village will open its doors on Friday 8 September at 2pm local time, to coincide with the opening RWC match between host nation France and the All Blacks at 9.15pm. A concert on the main stage will kick off festivities. It will be open to the public free of charge from 8 September to 28 October on Thursdays during French team matches and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 2pm-11.30pm.
Organisers will set the village up in the eastern part of the Place de la Concorde – which will be closed to traffic – between the Tuileries Gardens and the centre of the square. The east side of the square will be closed to traffic from 9 August, with two-way traffic on the west side. The set-up of the Paris Rugby Village will begin on 9 August with the installation of the official shop (which will open earlier) and will continue until 23 August.