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Rugby World Cup 2023: how to prepare for your stay

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Rugby World Cup 2023: how to prepare for your stay
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In 2023, the world’s most prestigious men’s rugby tournament will be held in France. From September 8 to October 28, athletes, sports enthusiasts and the curious from all over the world will gather in France to watch Rugby World Cup matches. Would you like to join this major sporting celebration? Please hurry. Some matches are already sold out. Milesopedia answers your questions and helps you unravel the details so that you too can take part in the Rugby World Cup 2023.

Where can I buy tickets for the Rugby World Cup 2023?

The official Rugby World Cup box office, like that of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is the sole sales channel for tickets. No other sales platform is authorized to sell tickets, to avoid tickets being sold at sky-high prices by resellers.

As ticket sales began in 2022, most matches are already sold out. But if you still haven’t got your hands on the precious treasure, don’t despair. There is an official ticket resale site where fans can sell their tickets.

Many travel agencies are also offering special packages to attend the Rugby World Cup. These packages can include match tickets, accommodation, transfers and other benefits such as sightseeing tours or meetings with former rugby players.

Rugby World Cup 2023: how to prepare for your stay - Coupe-du-monde-de-Rugby-2023

What are the ticket prices for the Rugby World Cup in 2023?

Ticket prices vary according to match, category and city. A total of four different categories are available:

  • Category 1: Side stand
  • Category 2: Placement in ¼ turn
  • Category 3: Placement behind half-height posts
  • Category 4: Placement behind the posts in the lower or upper part of the stand.

For a top-of-the-range experience, fans can also subscribe to the « Village » offer and enjoy a convivial area around the stadiums, before or after matches. Local cuisine, entertainment, guest appearances by a leading figure from the world of rugby… everything is on offer to ensure an unforgettable experience.

For a category 4 seat, prices can be as low as 10 euros per ticket. This is the case for the match between Portugal and Georgia on Saturday September 23 at 2pm in Lille. In category 1, the same match is available for 52 euros. For final matches, prices are much higher. In category 4, a ticket for the final, to be held in Saint-Denis on October 28 at 9pm, is priced at 100 euros, while in category 1 it is priced at 950 euros.

Rugby World Cup 2023: how to prepare for your stay - Coupe-du-monde-Rugby-2023-01

What is the schedule for the Rugby World Cup in 2023?

A total of 20 countries will take part in the Rugby World Cup in 2023. Alongside France, qualified as host nation, will be New Zealand, Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, England, Japan, Namibia, Argentina, Samoa, Chile, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania, Italy, Uruguay and Portugal.

The pools will be as follows:

  • Pool A: New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia
  • Pool B: South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania
  • Pool C: Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, Portugal
  • Pool D: England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Chile

The group phase program will last a month, from September 8 to October 8. The final phase will take place from October 14 to 28.

Rugby World Cup 2023: how to prepare for your stay - Coupe-du-monde-Rugby-2023-01

Where to stay during the Rugby World Cup?

At present, almost all the hotels in the cities where the matches will be held are fully booked. So it’s a good idea to check outAirbnb if you still haven’t found a place to stay.

Since rental rates during the Rugby World Cup are reaching dizzying heights because of exceptionally high demand, it could be worthwhile to pay for your stay with a credit card that lets you pay using travel points. You could save significant amounts by paying, for instance, with your Scene+ points from the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card or with points you have worked hard to earn on an American Express card or an Air France KLM American Express card. That can help lower your accommodation bill during the Rugby World Cup.

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How to get around France during the Rugby World Cup?

The Rugby World Cup will take place all across the country, starting with the ten host cities where the matches will be held: Lille, Saint-Étienne, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, Paris and Saint-Denis.

With some 2.5 million spectators expected in the stadiums, along with the players from the best teams on the planet, the volunteers and the organizers, the Rugby World Cup represents a major logistical challenge for the SNCF, the official sponsor of the sporting event.

Rugby World Cup 2023: how to prepare for your stay - Stade-Lyon

The French rail company will nevertheless be providing logistical support, setting up tailor-made services to meet the needs of all the players involved. Several thousand trains and TGVs will operate daily between September 8 and October 28 to connect the cities where the matches will be held. Local mobility will not be left out, either, as Keolis, a subsidiary of the SNCF group, will provide local travel with its coach service.

Bottom line

With the Rugby World Cup 2023 fast approaching, excitement is running high among rugby fans around the world. This eagerly-awaited event is set to become a real sporting extravaganza, bringing together the best international teams in an intense and exciting tournament. With 48 matches taking place in 10 host cities across France, the Rugby World Cup 2023 promises to be an autumn of festivities.

To find affordable flights to Rugby World Cup 2023 using points, read this article:

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
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Ends Nov 1, 2026
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With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

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Annual fee

Primary card$150
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Annual income required

Individual$60,000
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Conversion fees

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Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Frequently asked questions about the Rugby World Cup 2023

Where will the Rugby World Cup be held in 2023?

In 2023, the Rugby World Cup will be held in France. The competition will take place all over the country, starting with the ten host cities where the matches will be held: Lille, Saint-Étienne, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, Paris and Saint-Denis.

Other towns that will be hosting teams qualifying for the final phase include Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Versailles, Libourne, La Baule-Escoublac, Avignon, Montpellier, Toulon, Tours, Rueil-Malmaison, Île de Ré and Bourgoin-Jallieu.

When will the Rugby World Cup be held in France in 2023?

The Rugby World Cup will take place from September 8 to October 28, 2023.

Which stadiums will host Rugby World Cup matches in 2023?

A total of nine French stadiums will host Rugby World Cup matches:

  • Bordeaux Stadium, Bordeaux
  • Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
  • Ol Stadium, Lyon
  • Marseille Stadium, Marseille
  • Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
  • Nice Stadium, Nice
  • Stade de France, Saint-Denis
  • Geoffroy Guichard Stadium, Saint-Étienne
  • Toulouse Stadium, Toulouse

How can I become a Rugby World Cup volunteer?

It’s now too late to volunteer for the Rugby World Cup. Volunteers were selected in September 2022. Three conditions had to be met: be at least 18 years old by January 1, 2023, be fluent in French, and be available for the duration of the Rugby World Cup, i.e. from September 8 to October 28, 2023.

How many teams will compete at the Rugby World Cup in 2023?

The 20 countries selected to take part in the Rugby World Cup in 2023 are France, New Zealand, Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, England, Japan, Namibia, Argentina, Samoa, Chile, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania, Italy, Uruguay and Portugal.

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