The rugby market - France

Since 2020, the global rugby market has been witnessing a growth in participation, with key countries such as England, South Africa, France, New Zealand, Australia, Wales, and Ireland leading in the number of rugby practitioners and consistently ranking high in global standings. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic causing disruptions, the French Rugby Federation anticipated a recovery with a projected budget of 134.6 million euros in expenses against 135.9 million euros revenue for the 2022-2023 season. This economic projection highlights the sustainable fiscal approach adopted by the FFR, which has affiliations with around 2,000 rugby clubs across France.

France, in particular, saw a dip in male licensees between 2018 and 2021 but noted a steady increase in female participants with hopes that the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France will boost membership numbers further. Women's rugby is experiencing significant growth, with media coverage and sponsorship partnerships expanding, and youth rugby development initiatives like Baby Rugby contributing to a 16.90% increase in young rugby school members from 2019 to 2021. Geographically, rugby club concentration is highest in southwest France, with Occitania and New Aquitaine harboring the majority of amateur clubs.

The Dynamics of Rugby Participation in France: Trends and Key Figures

Rugby, a sport with a rich cultural heritage, has cemented its position as one of the most popular sports in France, boasting a significant number of dedicated practitioners and supporters. As of the 2021-2022 period, rugby ranks as the 8th most popular sport in the nation with approximately between 315,000 and 320,000 registered licenses, underscoring a vibrant demand for the sport within the country.

The global landscape of rugby players boasts over 10 million individuals, reinforcing the sport's growing popularity. Notably, a subset of these players, stretching across 128 national federations, come under the oversight of World Rugby. This international influence is further amplified by tournaments that draw in an increasing number of spectators, showcasing a staggering 300% growth in attendance over the last decade.

The momentum of this expansion is anticipated to maintain its upward trajectory, partly fueled by high-profile events such as the 6 Nations tournament and the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. In the domain of gender distribution within rugby, men significantly outnumber women, representing 89% of the total playing populace.

However, there has been a commendable rise in women's participation as the growth rate of female licensees continues to outpace male counterparts, particularly among younger age groups and in rugby educational programs. This demographic shift forecasts a diversifying market with expanding inclusivity. Furthermore, amateur rugby encompasses a vast array of clubs that cater to six competitive divisions, including the Top 14, Pro D2, and regional levels.

The marketing and financial muscle of these clubs vary, with professional clubs in the Top 14 displaying larger budgets than their amateur counterparts. However, like the fluctuations within professional clubs, amateur club finances have also felt the impacts of economic pressures such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youth development in rugby is experiencing a renaissance, with a rise in rugby school participation, and a discernible increase in women and supervisory staff members.

Main Players In The French Rugby Landscape: Fostering Talent and Promoting the Game

When discussing the main players in the French rugby market, several organizations stand out for their pivotal roles in governing, promoting, and developing the sport at both the amateur and professional levels.

• French Rugby Federation (FFR):

The FFR is the cornerstone of French rugby, overseeing the management and regulation of the game throughout the country. As the national governing body, the FFR is responsible for organizing key competitions, implementing training programs, and supporting the growth and accessibility of rugby. Moreover, the federation is the custodian of the national teams, selecting and preparing squads that represent France on the international stage. With its broad reach, the FFR has a significant influence on the strategic direction and health of the sport within France.

• World Rugby:

On the global stage, World Rugby sets the tone for the international rugby scene. It is the international federation that organizes world events like the Rugby World Cup and coordinates with regional associations to push the sport's boundaries. World Rugby's initiatives trickle down to national federations like the FFR, impacting the development programs and strategic focus at the country level.

• Regional Leagues and Amateur Rugby Clubs:

The local heartbeats of French rugby are the regional leagues and, perhaps even more importantly, the amateur clubs scattered throughout the territories. These clubs not only provide platforms for players of all ages and genders to engage with the sport but are also the breeding grounds for future talent. They are in charge of local tournaments, and player development and play a vital role in ingraining rugby into the fabric of local communities, particularly in the rugby hotbeds of Occitania and New Aquitaine.

• Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR):

This institution is the face of professional rugby clubs, representing their interests and ensuring that professional play keeps evolving and maintaining high standards. Even though the LNR's domain is professional sports, its influence has ripple effects on the amateur level through shared best practices and resources.

• Fédération Française des Clubs de Rugby (FFCR):

Acting as an umbrella for amateur clubs, the FFCR is another key player advocating for the interests of these essential stakeholders in the French rugby landscape. Their work ensures that clubs across the country have the support they need to foster the next generation of rugby talent and to uphold the rich traditions of the game.

• Ministry of Sports and Regional and Departmental Councils:

These government entities play more of a facilitative role.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 17/05/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Nombre de licenciés dans les sept principales nations du rugby mondial
• Proportion de personnes licenciées de rugby par pays
• Number of members of Rowing in France
• Budget of the French Rugby Federation
• Budget of the Top 14 Clubs, season 2022-2023
• Evolution of club budgets over 10 seasons (Pro D2, Top 14)
• Change in average revenue per club
• Sports licenses (unisport Olympic federations only)
• Distribution of rugby players between men and women
• Men's rugby practice rate by number of licensees by age and gender
• Women's rugby practice rate by number of licensees by age and gender
• Evolution of the number of members of the French Rugby Federation
• Evolution of the number of women's rugby licenses in France
• Proportion of women and men in the governing bodies of sports federations
• Breakdown of revenue by club
• Breakdown of operating expenses by club
• National Rugby League Products 2021-2022
• Evolution of match revenues
• Revenue distribution of a Regional Rugby League 2022-2023, Example: Regional League of Brittany
• Breakdown of the expenses of a Regional Rugby League 2022-2023, Example: Regional League of Brittany