5 Elite 1 championship matches and the final broadcast on Canal +?

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This is a magnificent step forward for the French women’s rugby. The Elite 1 championship match between ASM Romagnat and Stade Bordelais will be broadcast on Canal + Sport (with the commentator duo Nicolas Dupin de Beyssat/Marie-Alice Yahé) on Saturday November 2, 2024 (4:45 p.m.). It will follow the Clermont/Bordeaux-Bègles match scheduled at the Marcel-Michelin stadium (2:30 p.m.), opening the 9^e day of Top 14. According to information fromAt the time of Rugbyother Elite 1 matches could also be broadcast on Canal Group channels during the season. Explanations.

Elite 1: towards 5 matches broadcast on Canal +?

For several months now, the LNR, Canal and the FFR have been working together to provide exposure to the Elite 1 championship. After developing the calendar for the women’s rugby championship, the LNR decided to line up certain corresponding Top 14/Elite posters 1. Example: Clermont-UBB was scheduled for the same weekend as ASM Romagnat/Stade Bordelais. The idea: to allow the retransmission of the women’s match, taking advantage of the presence of Canal + broadcasting services already on site.

An official and unprecedented agreement has even seen the light of day “on several event matches”. According to information fromAt the time of Rugbythis would concern 5 Elite 1 matches, including ASM Romagnat-Stade Bordelais on November 2.

Discussions are said to be very, very well advanced for the Toulouse-Montpellier poster for January 26, 2025. For the moment, neither the LNR, nor Canal +, nor Stade Toulousain has confirmed to At the time of Rugby the official broadcast of this match on Canal + Sport. An internal source from the FFR was much more affirmative on the subject.

The other Elite 1 matches chosen are Lyon-Toulouse (December 21-22), Stade Bordelais-ASM Romagnat (February 22-23) and Montpellier-Stade Bordelais (May 10-11).

A question of logistics

For now, these last 3 matches mentioned are the subject of discussions, because the constraints are numerous. Firstly, we must have the agreement of the clubs regarding a change in the match schedule, but also know whether it will be placed as a curtain raiser or lowerer. Canal + and the LNR would be largely in favor of positioning the Elite 1 match as the curtain drops, in order to keep as many spectators as possible in the stands.

If the cameras will already be on site, this will also require Canal + HR management of its workforce. Let us point out in passing that Canal + will not pay money to broadcast these Elite 1 matches.

“It’s a big step that we have managed to take. I am very satisfied because it is in the philosophy and framework of the strategic orientation plan set. We’re even a little early, we didn’t really think we’d achieve it this year. This proves that there is interest in women’s rugby,” she rejoiced.At the time of Rugby Brigitte Jugla, vice-president of the FFR in charge of women’s rugby.

Canal + was very attentive, the LNR really did the job. It’s a co-constructed piece of work and it’s only a joy to finally see the girls being broadcast more, and this on a channel which is historic in rugby. It’s great!

The Elite 1 final also on Canal +?

According to information fromAt the time of Rugbya reflection would exist as to the broadcast of the Elite 1 final on Canal + Sport. There too, a constraint: the date. The final is scheduled for May 31, in Clermont, and the FFR could have to postpone it to the first weekend in June.

“The constraint is that the internationals must very quickly go on leave to prepare for the World Cup scheduled in England (August 22-September 27, 2025). There are parameters that make it complicated,” answers Brigitte Jugla.

All Elite 1 broadcast next year?

The governing bodies are also working on another major project: the broadcast of all Elite 1 championship matches from next season. To do this, they will think about scheduling the Top 14, Pro D2 and Elite 1 calendars as much as possible. They also need to find the broadcaster (Eurosport was for a time). Of course, Canal + is well placed in this perspective.

“The call for tenders is the next job, that of next season,” confirms Brigitte Jugla. “These rights will be low, because they are combined with boys’ matches. Costs will therefore be reduced. But if we manage to release an envelope that allows us to invest in Elite 1 clubs, it would be a big step forward in order to provide constant added value to the teams.”

“We are managing to move through the stages little by little, we have to break down barriers. Canal + listened to us. The ideal would be to perpetuate this at all costs for next season, and make it normal. We will get there.”

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