In 2023, Lille Metropole will host the Rugby World Cup !

From 8th September to 28th October  2023, France will welcome the 10th edition of the Rugby World Cup. In this framework, Lille Metropole will host five matches at Decathlon Arena - Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq, one of Lille Metropole municipalities. 250,000 visitors are expected, among them 100,000 foreigners!

Lille Metropole has a long history with hosting major sports events: EuroBasket in 2015, UEFA Euro 2016, the Davis Cup tennis tournament in 2014, 2017 and 2018, and the start of one’s Tour de France stage in 2022. Next September and October, the story goes one with the organization of the following matches:

• France - Uruguay on 14th September;
• England - Chile on 23rd September;
• Scotland - Romania on 30th September;
• England - Samoa on 7th October ;
• Tonga - Romania on 8th October.

With 8 clubs including Olympique Marcquois Rugby Lille Metropole and Stade Villeneuvois Lille Metropole, the metropole counts 2,500 licensed players. A figure set to rise following the World Cup’s hosting. According to Jérémy Benages, Director of the Lille site for the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Organizing Committee, "we are working to ensure that (...) the event contributes to increasing the number of rugby players, licensees and even rugby fans".

The challenge is also to train young people for careers in sport. In this area, Lille Metropole is already involved in Campus 2023 program, an apprentice-training center where hundreds of young people follow trainings in sports, tourism and safety. This year, more than 2,000 apprentices will complete their training by joining the Rugby World Cup organization teams.

Indeed, the Rugby World Cup 2023 promises to be a powerful economic and social driver for the territory, with 17,000 jobs created or supported, as well as putting Lille Metropole as a key city host for major events !