Lille Metropole plays host to the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup 2023

Between the 8th of September and the 28th of October 2023, France hosted the 10th Rugby World Cup. During this occasion, 5 matches were held in the Lille metropolitan area, at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq, drawing a crowd 250 000 strong, and 2.6 billion television viewers.  Locally, Lille Metropole has chosen to be an involved and close supporter of the 17 top-level sports clubs that it supports both financially and structurally. Among these clubs, the Metropole supports two rugby clubs: Stade Villeneuvois Lille Métropole and Olympique Marcquois Rugby Lille Métropole.

Lille Metropole, a center for high-level sporting events

Hosting part of the 2023 Rugby World Cup was yet another accolade for Lille Metropole's flagship facilities, confirming its expertise in hosting major events. Lille has made hosting major international sporting events its trademark, having already hosted major events such as EuroBasket in 2015, Euro football in 2016, the Davis Cup tennis tournament and the start of a stage of the Tour de France in 2022. Lille Metropole’s expertise for hosting large-scale sporting events is widely recognised, enabling it to thrill the people of Lille and provide the best possible welcome for national and international spectators to celebrate sport. Looking forward, Lille Metropole will also host the preliminary tour of the basketball Olympic tournament as well as the final tour of the handball Olympic tournament for Paris2024 Olympics. The Grand Départ of the Tour de France will be held in 2025.

Support for top-level sport

These events reflect Lille Metropole’s commitment to hosting and supporting high-level sporting activities on its territory : for instance, the Metropole is supporting 24 young metropolitan sportsmen and women who are preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their names are Charles, Myriam, Pierre-Antoine, Lorenzo, Audrey... and they train every day with the same goal in mind: to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These young athletes have been selected by the Metropole and its partners for their talent in basketball, waterpolo, athletics, BMX, rowing and cycling. We look forward to cheering them on !