The RATP Group, Official Transporter of the French Rugby Federation and Supplier to the French National Rugby Team
The partnership established in 2005 with the French Rugby Federation (FFR) has strengthened the ties between the RATP Group and this collective and popular sport. Solidarity, respect, collective dynamics, and conviviality: the values of rugby are also the ones that unite the RATP Group's employees on the field.
Since then, the RATP Group has leveraged this commitment to serve its corporate goals and support rugby's development:
- Demonstrating its expertise by providing transport solutions, including the official bus for the French National Rugby Team (XV de France);
- Using rugby as a tool in its prevention policy to combat incivilities, particularly through promoting rugby among younger audiences;
- Creating an essential event in its network animation strategy, offering a showcase for rugby.
We are thus the Official Transporter of the FFR and Supplier of the French National Rugby Team (XV de France). We also transport foreign teams during the Autumn Tour.
The RATP Group, Official Supporter of the 2023 Rugby World Cup
On June 17th, 2023, the RATP Group officially announced its commitment as an Official Supporter of the 2023 Rugby World Cup during the Top 14 final. This is a great source of pride for the Group, confirming its dedication to supporting French sports and major sporting events.
Throughout the preparation phase for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in July and August, the RATP Group has provided transportation for the French men's team, offering two high-end branded buses, a lead car, and four drivers.
Furthermore, Origami, a RATP Cap Ile-de-France subsidiary, is the transporter for the "Mêlée des Chœurs," an initiative allowing thousands of young people to perform the national anthems of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Through its commitment, the company contributes to promoting this global sports event during the competition. Supporters from around the world will use the RATP-operated network, on behalf of Ile-de-France Mobilités, to travel to the Stade de France, where 10 Rugby World Cup France 2023 matches will take place, as well as to the Rugby Villages set up at Place de la Concorde (Paris) and Saint-Denis
Activities for Our Travelers and Supporters
For this occasion, RATP will organize activities throughout the transport network before and during this major sports event. On the agenda:
- A large photo exhibition dedicated to the previous 9 editions of the Rugby World Cup, since 1987, is display on the platforms of Nation station (RER A). It is also showcase at the Saint-Denis - Porte de Paris station (metro line 13), in an immersive corridor themed around the event.
- A lot of "pre-match" activities are organized at the two stations – Saint-Denis Porte de Paris (metro line 13) and Front Populaire (metro line 12) – which serve the Stade de France, including makeup workshops for supporters of the competing teams.
Return to Rugby Park
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup kick-off, the RATP Rugby Park was back at Auber (RER A)! From September 5th to 8th, a lot of fun and interactive activities were offered to passengers to introduce them to rugby: passing and lineout workshops, quizzes, wheelchair rugby initiation, autograph sessions with Poupard, the illustrator of the "Rugbymen" comic book... a great way to pass the time until the big day!
Wednesdays of Rugby
As part of its partnership with the French Rugby Federation and its prevention program "Decoding the City," the RATP Group has been conducting a civic operation for middle school students in the suburbs of Ile-de-France since 2007: the Wednesdays of Rugby.
This initiative promotes civility on public transportation and living together through the values of the partnership with the FFR: respect, team spirit, and sharing.
It is led by RATP ambassadors accompanied by representatives from the French Rugby Federation.
The operation consists of two parts:
- A theoretical part in the classroom, allowing young people to engage with RATP ambassadors, especially regarding the rules of behavior on public transportation and in rugby.
- A practical part to discover rugby and tackle incivilities through fun workshops: ball handling, passing, kicking...
Since 2007, over 70 middle schools in Ile-de-France and more than 5,000 students have participated in this program. To learn more about the Wednesdays of Rugby, click here.