The announcement was made by Béatrice Mandine, Executive Director of Orange Communication, Brand and Engagement, and Claude Atcher, France 2023 Organising Committee CEO, at the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw in Paris. Rugby World Cup France 2023 will celebrate 200 years of rugby, bringing together the top 20 teams worldwide between 8 September to 21 October 2023 at nine stadiums across France.
As Official Telecom Operator of Rugby World Cup 2023, Orange will supply all the telecommunications services required for the competition. High speed broadband networks will be installed at each site, allowing everyone to experience all the thrills and spills of the event’s 48 matches, whether they are in France or overseas. Orange will offer the highest standards to both spectators and broadcasters. France 2023 and Orange share the ambition to make Rugby World Cup 2023 a responsible event with a positive impact on rugby, society and the planet. With a focus on social and environmental commitments, this 10th edition will leave a tangible legacy across the country.
Chairman and CEO of Orange Stéphane Richard said: “Orange is proud to join Rugby World Cup France 2023 as an Official Sponsor. Our teams will be working hard to support the organisers, partners, broadcasters and spectators of this 10th Rugby World Cup. Back in 2007, we demonstrated our technical expertise to the rugby world, and the planet as a whole. Rugby World Cup 2023 will be an excellent opportunity to showcase France’s love of rugby, one year before it hosts the Olympics.”
France 2023 Organising Committee CEO Claude Atcher said: “Because it is an historic supporter of rugby, a strong technological expert and a media outlet in itself, we have three good reasons to welcome the Orange Group as an Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup France 2023. Together we will offer a unique experience to fans worldwide thanks to the expertise of a global telecommunications champion.” Between now and the competition, Team Orange Rugby will engage with rugby fans on Twitter and Instagram to allow them to discover exclusive and original content.
About Orange
Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications carriers with a turnover of EUR 42 billion in 2019 and 143,000 employees as at 30 September 2020, of which 83,000 are in France. The Group served 256 million customers on 30 September 2020, including 212 million mobile customers and 21 million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. In December 2019, the Group presented its new “Engage 2025” strategic plan, which, guided by social and environmental accountability, aims to reinvent its operator model. While accelerating in growth areas and placing data and AI at the heart of its innovation model, the Group will be an attractive and responsible employer, adapted to emerging professions. Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).
About France 2023:
Rugby World Cup France 2023 is the 10th Rugby World Cup and will take place from 8 September to 21 October 2023, celebrating 200 years of rugby.
The competition’s 48 matches will take place in nine stadiums and ten host towns and cities. France 2023’s main objective is to deliver a positive impact on rugby, France and the planet. Its mission is to organise a responsible event conscious of current and future challenges. For the first time in the event’s history, in view of the Host Union Agreement, the France 2023 Organising Committee has acquired three levels of commercial rights for the Rugby World Cup (official sponsors, official suppliers and official supporters), which allow it to build tailored, international sponsorships through dedicated activation programmes.
Orange joins GL Events, SNCF, Loxam, Proman and Vivendi as the Official Sponsors already announced by the Organising Committee, as well as Société Générale, as a top-level Worldwide Partner.
