The Stade de France, at the heart of the great moments in French sport, but also an attractive events venue for companies. Temples of rugby during the weekend, France's rugby stadiums also vibrate - differently - during the week. As well as the grandstands that naturally allow them to host large-scale events, these multi-purpose venues invest in more exclusive areas. Here's a six-stop tour of France, before ending with an entire region...
Saint-Denis: the place to be for major events
This is where the French national team begins its World Cup on 8 September, against New Zealand. And we hope to see Les Bleus again on the evening of 28 October, with the Webb Ellis Trophy in their pocket. All in all, ten matches will take place on the lawn of the Stade de France It's a match that is used to crowning the Top 14 champion... and occasionally blue-clad world champions. Ten matches that should attract many corporate customers to the stands - and even more so to the boxes. But since its inauguration in 1998 The Dionysian stadium does more than just attract professionals during major sporting events. Visit MICE will be bringing the Stade de France to life all year round, with a very solid line-up to say the least.
Stadium fundamentals - lawn, bleachers and athletics track - of course allows it to boast a capacity of 80,000 people . But more specific facilities are available for corporate events, such as these 24 lounges capable of accommodating between 50 and 1,500 people. The Chorum The Convention & Exhibition Hall has a capacity of 250 to 600 people. It includes an 860 m² space for organising a plenary conference, a private reception hall, a dedicated area for breaks (271 m²) and a cloakroom. As for theAuditorium it was completely renovated in 2021 It now has 317 seats. Another, more intimate option: the panoramic restaurant Le {Club}, located at 8e and 9e The restaurant is located on the first floor of the stadium, where you can enjoy a Lenôtre menu with an uninterrupted view of the pitch.
" Halfway between a convention centre and an exhibition centre With its 12,000 m² of exhibition space, its 1,300-seat convention hall, its 317-seat auditorium and its 24 lounges, the Stade de France represents a real alternative in the events and exhibition market thanks in particular to its strong image policy, its topicality and its top-of-the-range concept
Racing 92: suits, ties and bow ties
If there's one club that draws a clear link between rugby and business, it's Racing 92. This is borne out by the fact that its new stadium is located in the heart of the city. business district like a symbol. With its Paris La Défense Arena The Paris region club benefits from state-of-the-art facilities. For performance, of course, but also for hosting public and corporate events throughout the year. The Racing Arena has over 13,000 m² of modular function space. The Arena can host XXL events for up to 30,000 people. For smaller events, bringing together 50 to 500 guests, there are ten areas ranging from 90 to 910 m², with a view of the 'arena'. In addition to its size, the arena stands out for its versatility and showmanship. Gaël Fickou and Juan Imhoff aren't the only stars to be showcased at the Arena. The Rolling Stones, Genesis, Bruce Springsteen and Kendrick Lamar have also brought the crowds to their feet. In other words, the Arena can legitimately lay claim to a certain expertise in the field of events, and the short-sleeved dress code is often swapped for a busier outfit. After all, at Racing, even the players can tackle a championship final wearing a bow tie...
Toulon: lily of the valley in the buttonhole
It's difficult - and risky - to draw up a list of the most beautiful stadiums in the league. But it has to be said that the location of the Mayol stadium With its feet in the harbour, its head in Mount Faron and its location right in the centre of town, this is a truly unique experience. All the more so as the facilities in Toulon are easily accessible from the station.
La seminar room from RCT is installed in the Delangre stand. Visit Club House The stadium's main hall forms the ground floor, where participants are immediately welcomed into the heart of the matter. Upstairs, the meeting room (120 m ²) can accommodate up to 70 people in "theatre" format. The immersion into the world of the Var club can be extended with a tour of the stadium facilities: changing rooms, trophy room, Avenue of Legends, the local 'Hall of Fame'. You can also take the official team bus to the newcomer: the Campus . The RCT has in fact acquired a modernised training centre, which will be inaugurated in October 2020, and since this summer has been enhanced by a Club-House, a brasserie - "Le Muguet", of course - which can be privatised, and state-of-the-art event facilities. A seminar room (500 m²) has been set up on the second floor of the Club-House, with a panoramic view over the Campus lawn. The space is modular and can be subdivided into five zones.
Among the first 'companies' to use these facilities will be none other than the reigning world champion in the sport. Visit RCT Campus is the Springboks' base camp until the end of October. The presence of the South African rugby players is expected to give rise to a number of events throughout the competition.
Toulouse: the red-and-blacks in the pink
If the City of Rose is hosting the World Cup at the Stadium, it is in the heart of the Ernest Wallon stadium is where the heart of Toulouse's ovalie beats. And the performances of the flagship team - the reigning French champions - its history and its philosophy of play, have long given it an exemplary character that has not escaped the notice of the business world. And with the economic area surrounding the Stade Toulousain - aeronautics in particular - it can count on solid partners.
Every year, the Toulouse stadium hosts around a hundred events, bringing together between 10 and 2,000 people. In addition to the "classic" sports facilities (changing rooms, pitch, etc.), the largest MICE area, the Ponts-Jumeaux Pavilion (2,500 m²), can accommodate events for up to 2,500 people in cocktail format. What's more, the Pavilion is all on one level, on the ground floor, and can be combined with the vast esplanade opposite. This makes it easy to display vehicles, for example.
Another MICE option is the Salon Prairie des Filtres, whose bay windows guarantee a panoramic view of the stadium. The 620m² lounge can accommodate up to 700 people, but can also be split into two separate areas of 150m² and 470m². There is also a catering area. The Ernest Wallon stadium also has two 50m² lounges, linked to the Brasserie. Equipped with touch screens and video projectors, they can accommodate between 10 and 60 people. Finally, smaller meetings can be held in one of the stadium's 22 boxes, which can accommodate from 10 to 70 people.
Lyon: In the face of the LOU
If the LOU Rugby in the Top 14 has yet to be written since its return to the elite, that of its majority shareholder commands respect. GL Events Matmut Stadium has not overlooked the stadium's role as an events venue. The Lyon stadium's reception areas are designed for events of between 50 and 2,000 people. This includes trade shows held in the implid Village. The main function area at Matmut Stadium (1,500 m²) features a technical control room with four workstations, twelve video screens and an 18 m² stage. All of this is complemented by state-of-the-art audiovisual and lighting equipment, and a kitchen area (200 m²) for caterers. Other options include Espace 15 (375 m²) and Espace 1ère Ligne (250 m²), with seating for 350 and 200 people respectively.
GL Events' ambitions for its Lyon stadium have clearly not been affected by the health crisis. Indeed, in April 2021, its management announced that "To accelerate the development of sports and events activities at the Matmut Stadium site, the Group has decided to open the capital of GL events Sports to Montefiore Investment, manager of the Matmut Stadium fund. "Nov Tourisme - Relance Durable France". GL Events has even ended 2022 by adding another string to its bow, and at the same time to its logo. Lyon's MICE offer . The inauguration of the first hotel, the aptly named The Ruck The new hotel, which is located opposite Matmut Stadium, will enable it to position itself in the residential seminar market. The four-star establishment, located opposite Matmut Stadium, has 134 rooms. It is also designed for meetings and events, with five rooms available ranging from 40m² to 173m², using rugby as the main theme. Caroline Ginon, the architect in charge of the project, explains: " The concept of The Ruck Hôtel, with its proximity to the stadium, the new home of Lyon rugby, came naturally to rugby and sport in general. The Ruck Hôtel was designed to be a major events venue on the ground floor, with a restaurant, terrace, patio, lounge, reception and seminar rooms to complement the existing facilities at Matmut Stadium. " .
Clermont-Ferrand: Nunc est bibendum
Undoubtedly more than anywhere else, the worlds of business and rugby are intimately linked. Clermont-Ferrand all united around one name: Michelin, full owner of ASM. The club was founded in 1911 by the son of the co-founder of this global success story, which originated in Auvergne. The Marcel-Michelin stadium is a tribute to him, and since the club's beginnings it has played host to the exploits of the "jaunards", who spent a long time on the bottom step before breaking through the glass ceiling to become French champions in 2010, then reaching the European Cup final three times in the following years.
It is the story of this club, feverishly supported by the Yellow Army, that participants in the events organised within the sports complex will be able to discover through the "Yellow Army". ASM Expérience interactive museum The rugby field, immersed in the rugby atmosphere. But that's not the only activity offered by ASM Events adding to this guided tours of the stadium the presence of players during the event and the intervention of managers of the club on corporate issues, business team buildings supervised by the sports staff or mysterious game Yellow & Blue" survey.
To host corporate events, the Marcel-Michelin stadium recently opened a new area, the Club Bernard-Chevallier This 380 m² room can accommodate cocktails for up to 200 people. Smaller in size - 130 m² - but with a view over the lawn and extended by a terrace, the Club Fontès can accommodate events of up to 80 people. As for theGroupama space With its 900 m², it is ideal for cocktails and sit-down meals, as well as conferences for up to 500 people. All in a space that can be divided in two by a removable partition.
New Aquitaine, a land of oval sports par excellence
Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle (c) Stade Rochelais
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region alone is home to nine Top 14 and Pro D2 clubs. That's more than Occitanie, which has just seven. The region's tourism industry has no qualms about play the rugby card in its communication, in line with the festive and friendly atmosphere of the South-West. With all these clubs, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region offers a host of possibilities for companies to organise sports-related seminars and events. In La Rochelle, for example, the Marcel Deflandre stadium, home to the two-time reigning European champions, offers 4,000 m² of function space.
To welcome conventions and events in the best possible way, some venues have recently strengthened their offer such as the Jean-Dauger sports park in Bayonne - which offers three new event spaces ranging from 160 m2 to 450 m2 - or the recently renovated Armandie stadium in Agen, which boasts 1,500 m² of modular event space, including dressing rooms, lounges and an auditorium.
Like Agen, the Pro D2 clubs may no longer be able to boast of hosting the elite of French rugby, but they still offer their towns and cities a unique opportunity to showcase their talent. solutions for hosting MICE groups The new Serge-Kampf stand, named after the founder of Cap Gemini who died in 2016 and was one of the club's former shareholders, will be used by the club's other clubs, including Angoulême, Mont-de-Marsan and Biarritz.
Salon Serge Kampf, Biarritz
Espace Derichebourg, Brive
Espace Croix du Prince, in Pau
Another reminder of the strong link between rugby and business, the meeting area of the Brive stadium bears the name of one of the town's economic players: Derichebourg, which at one time owned the club. In addition to its dressing rooms and lounges, the stadium offers 2,250 m² of space for the organisation of trade shows, conferences and seminars all combined with team-building activities, including rugby initiations.
It is also this 'ovalie' atmosphere that aims to appeal to organisers. The Hameau stadium in Pau, for example, complements its meeting facilities - 11 spaces ranging from 50 to 1,200 m² - with team-building opportunities such as a creative haka In Bordeaux, Union Bordeaux Bègles is organising a number of events at the Stade Chaban Delmas. The same goes for Bordeaux, where Union Bordeaux Bègles is organising a number of events at the Stade Chaban Delmas, including guided tours of the stadium, escape games and team building activities.
CONTENTS OF THE FILEEvents: the stadium venues
