The tenth Rugby World Cup will be held in France from 20 September to 2 November 2023.
The expanded eight-week festival could not get off to a bigger start with hosts France and three-time champions New Zealand meeting in the opening match on 8 September, 2023, to kick-off the sport’s 200th birthday celebrations in style.
Pool A: New Zealand, France, Italy, America 1, Africa 1
Pool
B: South Africa Ireland, Scotland, Asia/Pacific 1, Europe 2
Pool C: Wales, Australia, Fiji, Europe 1, Final qualifier
Pool D: England, Japan, Argentina, Oceania 1, America 2
BEST OF RUGBY, BEST OF FRANCE
Rugby World Cup 2023 will be a truly nationwide tournament involving all of France. Each host city will host a minimum of four games and welcome at least one RWC 2019 quarter-finalist, reinforcing its commitment to unite the whole country through rugby fever.
In line with the mission to make the tournament the most accessible Rugby World Cup to date and attract new audiences in France, 80 per cent of the population will live within two hours from a match venue, while international fans will get to see the very best of the host nation.
With the draw delivering the prospect of thrilling matches, an extended pool phase will facilitate the very best experience for teams and fans alike with the big matches concentrated across Wednesday to Sunday, while for the first time Mondays and Tuesdays will be clear, enabling teams and fans to catch-their breath and reflect on the action.
One highlight of a spectacular opening weekend is a double-header in Marseille, a fan-favourite at the 2007 tournament. RWC 2019 runners-up England will launch their Pool D campaign against Argentina on the first Saturday, while reigning champions South Africa will start their title defence against Scotland the following day, offering fans two world-class fixtures in one location over an epic late September weekend in the south of France.
A streamlined nine host cities will play host to the world’s top 20 teams with the top two from each pool progressing to the quarter-finals. In typical style, the pool phase concludes with an epic weekend of matches with Six Nations rivals Scotland and Ireland going head-to-head in Saint-Denis and fan-favourites Japan facing Argentina in Nantes.
Marseille [Stade Vélodrome] and Saint-Denis [Stade de France] will host the quarter-finals on 14-15 October. The 80,000 capacity national symbol of Stade de France will also host the two semi-finals on Friday 20 and Saturday, 21 October, the bronze final on Friday, 27 October and will set the scene for the Rugby World Cup 2023 champions to be crowned on Saturday, 28 October.
A NEW SCHEDULE FORMAT
The innovative match schedule developed by World Rugby and the France 2023 Organising Committee, in partnership with International Rugby Players, host cities and broadcasters, has team and fans experience at heart. For the first time in the tournament’s history, all teams will have a minimum of five rest days between all matches and an increased squad size of 33 players, optimising recovery and preparation and improving on-field performances.
All matches will be organised between Wednesday and Sunday to maximise fan attendance and broadcast engagement and seven double-header weekends will translate into a festival atmosphere in the host cities. Building on a record economic impact of RWC 2019 in Japan, France 2023 will look to be the most impactful and sustainable Rugby World Cup ever, delivering a tangible impact for society and rugby.
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Never before have the world's top rugby teams been more evenly matched, and with hosts France on the rise we can expect plenty of fireworks both on and off the field.
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Browse through DAIMANI’s official hospitality offer and book your place now at Rugby World Cup 2023. All products are at the official France 2023 price, with no booking fees or recharging of credit card commission. And if you have any questions, please email or