Ahead of a mouth-watering opening match between France and New Zealand on 8 September, the biggest-ever Official Tournament Shop dedicated to Rugby World Cup will open its doors in the heart of the iconic Place de la Concorde in Paris on 22 August.
To celebrate, operators Legends are offering the first 100 shoppers through the doors at 16:00 local time on Tuesday the chance to win tickets to the opening match as well as other retail merchandise. Further surprises – including guest appearances by player ambassadors and the Webb Ellis Cup – await the first arrivals.
Covering an area of 1,000m2, the store is the largest ever implemented for a Rugby World Cup, and the biggest of all official stores operated throughout France during the tournament.
It will open from 10:00 to 22:00 everyday and until 23:00 on match days until 4 November, offering fans the chance to shop the entire official collection of Rugby World Cup France 2023.
The tournament, which is returning to France for the first time since 2007, has already broken ticket sales records and looks set to be the most popular edition ever, bringing together millions of rugby lovers from France and around the world.
Starting on 8 September, the Place de la Concorde will also play host to the official Paris Rugby Village – a vast, free-entry celebration space offering match screenings and an array of sports and cultural experiences.
At the centre of the square, the official store will be the place for supporters from all countries to enjoy pop-up events and appearances, kit themselves out in the colours of their team and take home a physical souvenir alongside lifelong memories of a tournament that will also serve as rugby’s 200th birthday celebration.
Items on sale will include replica jerseys of every participating team, official Gilbert match balls, 20 Nations products, accessories and souvenirs ranging from berets and keyrings to miniature replicas of the Webb Ellis Cup and a new, classic lifestyle and rugbywear collection.
Michel Poussau, World Rugby’s Executive Director for Rugby World Cup France 2023 said: “This store will be more than a simple retail space.
Located right in the centre of Paris, it will be a place for fans, tourists and visitors to come together and experience a taste of the unique Rugby World Cup atmosphere, rooted in the spirit of passion and camaraderie that makes rugby so special.
We believe the official souvenir range – unprecedented in its scale and diversity – is worthy of the lifelong memories that Rugby World Cup France 2023 will leave in the hearts and minds of everyone who joins the celebration.”
Christophe Rousseau, Director of Operations of sports retail specialists Legends, selected to operate the official Rugby World Cup France 2023 stores, said: “We are particularly thrilled at Legends Global Merchandise to have designed and to operate the largest Official Store ever built for a Rugby World Cup! And right in the middle of Place de la Concorde, a highly symbolic plaza for all France lovers.
We have done everything to offer worldwide fans the widest official range and an unforgettable customer experience to make this France 2023 edition an unforgettable one.”
The locations, dates and opening times of all the official Rugby World Cup 2023 stores can be found at: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/official-stores/