Attendance records for French rugby, “the result of the work of the clubs and the LNR”, rejoices the president of the National Rugby League

The Top 14 has brought together more than 2.2 million spectators since the start, the Pro D2 more than a million. A “success”, applauded by the LNR and its president, René Bouscatel.

The Top 14 has broken attendance records with 2,204,597 spectators since the start of the 2023/2024 season, an increase of 3.5% compared to last year, the National League announced on Tuesday April 23. rugby (NRL). “Never has the Top 14 enjoyed such success since the establishment of the current format”underlines the League in a press release.

It is the Union Bordeaux-Bègles club which brings together the most spectators, with an average of more than 27,000 spectators per match (27,656) followed by Stade Toulousain (19,823) and RC Toulon (17,276) . The Stade Rochelais, reigning European champion, still has an occupancy rate of 100% (16,739 spectators).​ Furthermore, the Stade Français Paris and the Section Paloise have an increase in attendance of +16% and +12% with more than 12,000 spectators.

But Pro D2 is also doing well and attracting rugby lovers with 1,148,156 spectators this season, an increase of 15% compared to last year.

“We welcome these excellent trends throughout France, both in Top 14 and in Pro D2”

René Bouscatel

at franceinfo

“This fervor in the stadiums is the result of the constant work of the clubs and the NRL to attract more and more people to the stadium and allow them to enjoy a unique spectacle,” reacted René Bouscatel, president of the National Rugby League. The end of the season and the suspenseful formats of the championships should consolidate these excellent trends.”

Soon a record for women’s rugby?

Women’s rugby is also finding its place in France. There is no doubt that the France-England meeting should break an attendance record on Saturday in Bordeaux for the last match of the Six Nations Tournament of the French women’s XV. More than 22,000 tickets have already been sold, unheard of in France. The previous record was 18,600 last year in Grenoble for the France-Wales match. “There are more and more people at the matches, more and more media. Little by little, we will be able to have great visibility. The English had 58,000 at home last year at Twickenham. I hope we can do as well in a few years”dreams of Les Bleues hooker Agathe Sochat.

There are just under 6,000 tickets left to sell for Saturday’s game to be sold out. The French can achieve the Grand Slam if they win.