Camp Nou to host 2016 Final?

[RWC2011Fan]

French rugby authorities are in negotiations with Barcelona FC to stage the 2016 Top 14 final at the iconic Camp Nou.French newspaper Midi Olympique said that originally the city's Olympic Stadium had been discussed as a possible venue but its capacity of 55,000 ruled it out. Talks have been held with the Camp Nou's owners over the past six months and are at an advanced stage. Its capacity of 98,000 gives it an advantage over the other reported choice, Twickenham, which can hold 80,000.
The move abroad has been caused by football's Euro 2016 which means that the Stade de France and other major venues will not be available at the time the Top 14 final is staged.

http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/243511.html

Interesting. Always been impressed by the travelling support in France

 

[welshglory]

This sounds fantastic. It would be a brilliant occasion im sure and an opportunity to grow the game in Spain.

 

[gaston le gaff]

but only one year and one final as the Euro footie is using all the massive stadiums in France, but it will be a good weekend inrespective of who is in the final and only 4 hrs drive for me.

 

[tituslechmakus]

Well it is closer than Paris for a lot of top 14 teams ... But the question is : will they be able to fill the stadium ? It is useless to have a 98000 if you get only 30000 ! Last time rugby got to Barcelona was for a Hcup quater final with Perpignan in Montjuic, but the crowd wasn't comming from far away ...
As many said, I'd prefer having it in Barcelona, as rugby never goes in Spain. We go to British isles every year so maybe Camp Nou is a bit more exotic !

 

[goodNumber10]

that perpignan game was a 55,000 sell out wasn't it?

 

[gaston le gaff]

Well it is closer than Paris for a lot of top 14 teams ... But the question is : will they be able to fill the stadium ? It is useless to have a 98000 if you get only 30000 ! Last time rugby got to Barcelona was for a Hcup quater final with Perpignan in Montjuic, but the crowd wasn't comming from far away ...
As many said, I'd prefer having it in Barcelona, as rugby never goes in Spain. We go to British isles every year so maybe Camp Nou is a bit more exotic !

I think you better have a look at the attendances for the TOP14 Finals they are always a sell out, so thats 80,000+ to start with, only another 18,000 to find and they could be Spaniards, a 1/4 final H Cup and the TOP 14 Final is certainly no comparison, it would not surprise me at all if it is 90,000 +, it's still not a done deal the decision to go to Barcelona has still to be decided, Twickenham is the other venue but i think the former before the latter will prevail when finally the suits in Paris get their act together.

 

[RWC2011Fan]

Yep, it's been confirmed now:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/10702069/2016-French-rugby-final-moved-to-Barcelona

 

[William18]

Good news. Hopefully the locals are encouraged to attend as well.

 

[gaston le gaff]

it would not surprise me at all if the Spaniards were not needed, to fill the Stadium (nothing against them of course) the S de F 82,000 and the number of clubs near to the spanish border are abundant for me its only a 4 hr drive, closer than Paris i can see a lot more neutral supporters going for a good spanish weekend, i will be there thats for sure. The problem with Paris its full of invitations and sponsors(obviously normal they pay) but there are so many FFR, LNR, invites that the average club supporter often misses out but with a 98,000 stadium there should be room for everyong!!!!! Blanco and Camerouoooos are not happy but were they ever!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[William18]

If this game is successful then it could open up all sorts of options. Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium all spring to mind as possible places. I don't think these games need to be played in traditional rugby areas if good crowds can be guaranteed elsewhere. Also playing in England/France/Ireland gives a huge chance of home field advantage.

 

[gaston le gaff]

If this game is successful then it could open up all sorts of options. Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium all spring to mind as possible places. I don't think these games need to be played in traditional rugby areas if good crowds can be guaranteed elsewhere. Also playing in England/France/Ireland gives a huge chance of home field advantage.

Please we are talking of the TOP 14 Final here, it will be played in Barca only because the Euro footie is being held in France that summer and the Stade de France is not available, Although i am not against this move for that year the French Final will always be held in Paris at the Stade de France or the new Stadium when it is finally constructed, i think the season membership holders of the clubs concerned would have something to say if it went abroad more often!!!! not a good idea at all.
and you can guarantee nothing these days

 

[William18]

Please we are talking of the TOP 14 Final here, it will be played in Barca only because the Euro footie is being held in France that summer and the Stade de France is not available, Although i am not against this move for that year the French Final will always be held in Paris at the Stade de France or the new Stadium when it is finally constructed, i think the season membership holders of the clubs concerned would have something to say if it went abroad more often!!!! not a good idea at all.
and you can guarantee nothing these days

Oh sorry I misread it. Of course the French final should be held in Paris if it is available.

 

[munstermuffin]

Please we are talking of the TOP 14 Final here, it will be played in Barca only because the Euro footie is being held in France that summer and the Stade de France is not available, Although i am not against this move for that year the French Final will always be held in Paris at the Stade de France or the new Stadium when it is finally constructed, i think the season membership holders of the clubs concerned would have something to say if it went abroad more often!!!! not a good idea at all.
and you can guarantee nothing these days

What's story with that new planned place outside Paris? Is it all ready for construction now or still in planning?

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

If this game is successful then it could open up all sorts of options. Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium all spring to mind as possible places. I don't think these games need to be played in traditional rugby areas if good crowds can be guaranteed elsewhere. Also playing in England/France/Ireland gives a huge chance of home field advantage.

Oh please, I'd love to see a final at Borussia Dortmunds' stadium (Signal Iduna Park). It's definitely the one stadium in the world I'd love to go to, it just seems incredible

 

[gaston le gaff]

What's story with that new planned place outside Paris? Is it all ready for construction now or still in planning?

one day when the FFR GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER

 

[Montpellierian]

What's story with that new planned place outside Paris? Is it all ready for construction now or still in planning?

That's the worst idea that French Rugby Union has ever had.

The chosen place is ****ing too far from Paris.

It will take an hour and a half to go back after a game. If it finishes at 11 pm, it seems that no one will be in Paris before 0h30 am. And there is really nothing around that place to party before or after the game. No restaurants, no bars...

The other problem is that that project is too much expensive. 600 millions euros (probably more) only for the stadium itself. And around 730 millions euros (probably more too) for all what will be around (roads, trains, car parks...). Who will pay it?

French rugby union says that they can organize two events each month (so twenty four each year) to make enough money to pay that. During its best years, Stade de France organize twenty events. And nowadays, it's still the only stadium around Paris with more than fifty thousand seats. Do you really think that a new stadium, much farther form Paris (33km, Stade de France is only 5km from Paris), will be able to organize more concerts, more games (don't forget that football will stay in Stade de France)?

If some of you can read French, you can read the report of public proceedings about that project.

 

[munstermuffin]

That's the worst idea that French Rugby Union has ever had.

The chosen place is ****ing too far from Paris.

It will take an hour and a half to go back after a game. If it finishes at 11 pm, it seems that no one will be in Paris before 0h30 am. And there is really nothing around that place to party before or after the game. No restaurants, no bars...

The other problem is that that project is too much expensive. 600 millions euros (probably more) only for the stadium itself. And around 730 millions euros (probably more too) for all what will be around (roads, trains, car parks...). Who will pay it?

French rugby union says that they can organize two events each month (so twenty four each year) to make enough money to pay that. During its best years, Stade de France organize twenty events. And nowadays, it's still the only stadium around Paris with more than fifty thousand seats. Do you really think that a new stadium, much farther form Paris (33km, Stade de France is only 5km from Paris), will be able to organize more concerts, more games (don't forget that football will stay in Stade de France)?

If some of you can read French, you can read the report of public proceedings about that project.

What?? That's crazy money. Like its grand organising events but they need to sell out too. I knew it was outside Paris but that is way too far outside. It's sounds like a huge "against the odds" gamble.

 

[Tony Manx]

That's the worst idea that French Rugby Union has ever had.

The chosen place is ****ing too far from Paris.

It will take an hour and a half to go back after a game. If it finishes at 11 pm, it seems that no one will be in Paris before 0h30 am. And there is really nothing around that place to party before or after the game. No restaurants, no bars...

The other problem is that that project is too much expensive. 600 millions euros (probably more) only for the stadium itself. And around 730 millions euros (probably more too) for all what will be around (roads, trains, car parks...). Who will pay it?

French rugby union says that they can organize two events each month (so twenty four each year) to make enough money to pay that. During its best years, Stade de France organize twenty events. And nowadays, it's still the only stadium around Paris with more than fifty thousand seats. Do you really think that a new stadium, much farther form Paris (33km, Stade de France is only 5km from Paris), will be able to organize more concerts, more games (don't forget that football will stay in Stade de France)?

If some of you can read French, you can read the report of public proceedings about that project.

Seems to me to be a good choice for those coming through Orly which is the main entry point for the true rugby supporters rather than the elite Parisienne who just wants to be seen (bit like most of those at Twickers really!!!)............!!!!!!!!!

As Blanco is involved, it will be a tragic waste of money with little relevance!!!!

What?? That's crazy money. Like its grand organising events but they need to sell out too. I knew it was outside Paris but that is way too far outside. It's sounds like a huge "against the odds" gamble.

The distance between the centre and the ground is irrelevant really for, as with a Wembley or a Twickenham, the main "gate" is not met by people living in the centre of the city but from people who travel there from the rest of the country and surely availability, ease and cost of transport to get to and from the stadium for all the people is by far the most important consideration. After all, Pall Mall in Central London is 10 miles from Twickers but how long does it take to get there by car or tube/train?!!

I can go to a Saints home match (in central Northampton) and be in their car park for best part of an hour after the match waiting to get out due to the traffic of "downtown Northampton" yet, when I went to the Suncorp in Brisbane for a quarter final match in RWC 2003, I was many miles away in less than 30 minutes from leaving my seat, never mind getting to the car, due to ease of traffic flows!

 

[FrenchFan]

I agree. This is the point I was making in another post.

What the media are really quiet about in this country is the MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY FFR ARE SQUANDERING on hairbrained projects like the revamping of Marcroupis, and now their 600 M euro stadium that this country does NOT need. http://grandstaderugby.fr/

There is absolutely nothing in today's Top 14 money that comes anywhere close to 600 M euros. This is more than DOUBLE the entire budget of ALL Top 14 clubs combined for one season. Insanity.

FFR will go into 300 M debt for their new stadium. How is that possible for an amateur sports federation to rack up that amount of debt?!

Top 14 money is chicken feed compared with the money FFR are currently spending on projects that go absolutely nowhere towards developping the game. They are not investing a dime into the game of 7 for instance.

This is what's wrong in French rugby. Not the Top 14, with or without the foreigners, not Boudjellal.

 

[FrenchFan]

That's the worst idea that French Rugby Union has ever had.

The chosen place is ****ing too far from Paris.

It will take an hour and a half to go back after a game. If it finishes at 11 pm, it seems that no one will be in Paris before 0h30 am. And there is really nothing around that place to party before or after the game. No restaurants, no bars...

The other problem is that that project is too much expensive. 600 millions euros (probably more) only for the stadium itself. And around 730 millions euros (probably more too) for all what will be around (roads, trains, car parks...). Who will pay it?

French rugby union says that they can organize two events each month (so twenty four each year) to make enough money to pay that. During its best years, Stade de France organize twenty events. And nowadays, it's still the only stadium around Paris with more than fifty thousand seats. Do you really think that a new stadium, much farther form Paris (33km, Stade de France is only 5km from Paris), will be able to organize more concerts, more games (don't forget that football will stay in Stade de France)?

If some of you can read French, you can read the report of public proceedings about that project.

The official FFR figure as of now is 600 M euros. It's very likely they'll go over budget so yes we could see +700 or +800M. In today's economy: Pure insanity.

The location is 33 Km outside of Paris. Ris Orangis is a DIVE of a place . Everything shuts down by 7 pm.

This is the Ryan Air of rugby stadiums!!! :lol:

There is not a chance in this world I will travel to that dump to watch les Bleus make a show of themselves. Many fans will happily watch on TV.

Ernest Wallon over here is a far livelier place with a true rugby team on the pitch.........

This is FFR flexing their muscles and spending money they do NOT have on a stadium this country does NOT need.