Did you know?
The French Rugby Federation plans to boycott the Stade de France.
As you know, the French Rugby Federation rents the Stade de France very expensively to organize matches of the French XV.
For the moment, the FFR has not found any agreement concerning the operation of the Stade de France for the years to come.
According to information from the Sud-Ouest newspaper, the French Rugby Federation would therefore consider having the French XV play in the provinces.
Goodbye to the Stade de France and the incredible attendance records as was the case during this Autumn Tour? It's quite possible.
According to Sud-Ouest, the FFR is considering relocating the French team's matches to Marseille and Lyon, therefore in the provinces.
And for good reason, for a French XV match organized at the Stade de France to be profitable, more than 50,000 seats must be sold, as president Florian Grill explains. Extract:
“A match like the one against Japan is great, but with 50,000 spectators we lose money at the Stade de France whereas we would gain it in the provinces. »
The Vinci-Bouygyes concession expires at the end of the 2024 calendar year.
Thus, in the coming weeks the State will have to decide on the award of a new 30-year concession. Two candidates are in the fight: Vinci-Bouygues and GL Events.
Florian Grill puts the pressure on. Extract:
“The state’s decision is getting closer. He has three possibilities. Either he chooses one of the two actors, or he continues to discuss with both, or he declares the call for tenders unsuccessful. The fact that he chooses an actor does not mean that we have the obligation to sign with him if the proposals do not satisfy us. We said the offers didn't suit us. Neither candidate is convincing.
We repeat that rugby represents 40% of direct income and even 50% if we add indirect income from Stade de France revenues. We claim to be better than the proposals made to us today. »
Florian Grill discusses possible relocations for the Blues. Extract:
“We explored the provincial alternatives. The obligation to play all or almost all matches at the Stade de France is not rational from an economic point of view. Given the financial situation of the Federation, we will choose the most economically profitable solutions. Marseille is one of the real alternatives. There is less gauge, less hospitality, but the rental cost is very significantly cheaper. This is also true for Lyon. »
On the other hand, the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux is not a solution. Extract:
“For the French men's XV, 42,000 spectators is a bit small, but for the French women's team it can be a real objective. We had 28,000 people in Chaban-Delmas last spring. So this can be a target. »
To be continued…
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