La Rochelle and Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup final from the previous year was also held at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome. Image source: GETTY IMAGES
The 2024 Six Nations opening game between Ireland and France will take place in Marseille as the tournament organizers have confirmed that the Stade de France will not be utilized for the match.
France’s Six Nations matches no longer take place in the Stade de France in Paris because of its involvement in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Ireland’s title defense will begin on February 2 against France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Additionally, France will play host to Italy in Lille and England in the championship match in Lyon.
With a seating capacity of 67,394, the Stade Vélodrome is best known as Olympique Marseille’s home field in Ligue 1.
The Stade de France has historically hosted all of France’s Six Nations games, with the exception of a match against Italy in Marseille in 2018.
The Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, which has a retractable roof and a 50,186-seat capacity, is another location chosen for France’s Six Nations games.
On the other hand, the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon, which opened its doors in 2016, is the most recent of the three stadiums.
Regarding recent Six Nations outcomes, France won the title in 2022 but ceded it to Ireland, who claimed the Grand Slam earlier this year.
Additionally, France is getting ready to host the Rugby World Cup this year, with the championship game taking place at the Stade de France.
The home 2024 Six Nations matches for France (GMT timings)
- France v Ireland, Stade Velodrome, 2 February, 20:00
- France v Italy, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 25 February, 15:00
- France v England, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, 16 March, 20:00