Match Schedule for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France

World Rugby and the France 2023 Organising Committee have published the much-anticipated match schedule for Rugby World Cup 2023.

The expanded eight-week competition could not get off to a bigger start with hosts France and three-time world champions New Zealand meeting in the opening match on 8 September 2023, kicking-off the sport’s 200th birthday celebrations in style.

Rugby World Cup 2023 will be a truly nationwide tournament involving all of France. Each of the nine host cities will witness a minimum of four games and welcome at least one RWC 2019 quarter-finalist. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the quarter-finals.

Marseille (Stade Vélodrome) and Saint-Denis (Stade de France) will host the quarter-finals on 14-15 October. The 80,000 capacity national symbol of Stade de France will also host the two semi-finals on Friday 20 and Saturday, 21 October, the bronze final on Friday, 27 October and will set the scene for the Rugby World Cup 2023 champions to be crowned on Saturday, 28 October.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, all teams will have a minimum of five rest days between matches as they will only be played between Wednesdays and Sundays. An increased squad size of 33 players will also help to optimise recovery and preparation for on-field performances.

All matches will be organised between Wednesday and Sunday to maximise fan attendance and broadcast engagement and seven double-header weekends will translate into a festival atmosphere in the host cities. Building on a record economic impact of RWC 2019 in Japan, France 2023 will look to be the most impactful and sustainable Rugby World Cup ever, delivering a tangible impact for society and rugby.

World Rugby Vice-Chairman, Bernard Laporte, said, “The match schedule announcement is a wonderful moment for all Rugby World Cup 2023’s stakeholders. It has everything: the world’s 20 best teams, 48 games and 51 days of celebration. Designed with players and fans at heart, this match schedule will delight all rugby lovers around the world. We have given each host city the opportunity to shine with thrilling fixtures happening all over France. We look forward to 2023!”

With momentum building, the Rugby World Cup 2023 ticketing programme will launch later next month as the first tickets for the showcase competition will go on sale.

Check out the full match schedule for RWC 2023 here.

Rugby pictures: Pictures from 2019 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2018 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2017 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2016 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015, Pictures of the Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Qualifier in Hong Kong, Pictures of Singha Thailand Sevens 2015, Pictures from the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour in Hong Kong, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2014, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Pictures of Chartis Cup 2012 and Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012.

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