100 days to go before the TOP 14 semi-finals at the Nice Allianz Riviera
On 17 and 18 June, the TOP 14 semi-finals will be held in Nice for the first time in their history. The 4 best professional rugby clubs in France will face off in the Nice stadium to win a ticket to the final and a chance to be crowned champion of France. Beyond the stakes on the pitch, the whole city of Nice will be flying the TOP 14 colours for two days of fun and friendly celebrations.
2 days of celebrations featuring events in and around the city and stadium
The TOP 14 Village will be set up in Nice city centre on the Promenade des Anglais, Quai des États-Unis, on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 June from 10 am to 8 pm. Fans, residents and passersby are invited to enjoy free games and activities: initiation to rugby, giant haka, pass and penalty contests, quiz, photo booth, exhibition of the Bouclier de Brennus trophy, and more.
The entire city of Nice will be dressed in its TOP 14 finest, with nearly 1,000 businesses promoting rugby in their window displays.
Next stop for fun: in and around the beautiful Nice stadium.
For the very first time, a Giant Fan Zone will be set up near the National Sports Museum. Continuous live music will be performed on a stage before and after the match from 5 pm through midnight. Throughout the zone, a fun, festive rugby ambiance will make this a veritable TOP 14 Festival with drink kiosks, giant deckchairs, bodegas, pétanque, local specialties and food trucks. Meanwhile, the stadium esplanade will offer family-friendly activities.
And the fun continues inside the stadium! Spectators are invited to take part in fan cam, digital games, blind test and more while waiting for the players’ entrance show, club spokespeople and other surprises.
An event featuring responsibility and solidarity
After the resounding success of the bicycle initiative at the 2019 semi-finals in Bordeaux, the French National Rugby League steps up once more to make the TOP 14 semi-finals a major French sports event promoting sustainable mobility. For the occasion, hundreds of bicycles will be available free of charge to access the stadium via the greenway.
Also, a fervent supporter of the Celebrating Diversity programme¬—a mobilisation programme that calls on all those involved in professional rugby to promote the contribution of diversity to collective pursuits, both in sports and society—the French National Rugby League, with its partners, will hold inclusive rugby initiation sessions at the TOP 14 Village in the city centre to allow refugees, vulnerable or isolated persons to integrate or reintegrate society through rugby.
A job corner will also be available at the Village, for anyone who wants to drop off a CV.
Finally, aware of its responsibility and its environmental impact, the French National Rugby League will promote spectator and fan awareness on the importance of waste management, mainly by providing sorting captains in the various event areas and inside the stadium.
On Thursday, 10 March, a sneak preview of rugby festivities at the Saint-Roman de Bellet school
100 days before the semi-finals, city officials and rugby personalities all met at the Saint-Roman de Bellet school to learn about the actions spearheaded by the City of Nice to explain and promote rugby to school children, allowing them, to enjoy the magic of the TOP 14 semi-finals to the fullest. Among those present were: Jose Cobos, deputy mayor of Nice in charge of Sports Events, Pascal Condomitti, deputy mayor of Nice in charge of Independent Professionals and the Nice Collines Region, Thomas Otton, CSR and Communications Director of the French National Rugby League and Christian Califano, former prop with the Stade Toulousain club and the France national team.
These moments of friendship and fun will pave the way for an unforgettable celebration of rugby at its best on 17 and 18 June. Come join us for this year’s big TOP 14 bash!
- Click here to buy General Public and VIP tickets for the semi-final on Friday 17 June
- Click here to buy General Public and VIP tickets for the semi-final on Saturday 18 June
René Bouscatel, President of the French National Rugby League (LNR):
“The TOP 14 semi-finals in Nice mark the return of the fantastic knock-out stage ambiance of the French rugby championship with the 4 four best teams on the field and two days of celebrations open to all. The City of Nice, the Nice stadium and the LNR are working hand in hand to put on an exceptional show and throw a huge party, on and off the pitch. We can’t wait to see you on 17 and 18 June to share passionate and emotional moments all together.”
Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Area and Vice-president of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region:
“This June, Nice will have the honour of hosting the TOP 14 semi-finals for two days. The City is used to hosting major sports events, and will pull out all the stops to make this tournament a success, with its perfectly-suited stadium, its proven ability to provide a warm welcome, adequate lodging and efficient transportation. Following the success of the Euro 2016 and the FIFA World Cup 2019, and looking forward to the Rugby World Cup 2023, Nice is very proud to count itself among the preferred sites for major events such as this one. I am confident that all the residents of Nice will join in the celebrations, and I hope to see them in 100 days for a superlative celebration of rugby across the entire city!”
