AFP reports that, according to a source “close to the case”, the Paris 2024 Games could have a direct impact on the end of the next Top 14 season, France’s professional rugby league. The semi-finals, initially scheduled for Lille, could be relocated elsewhere in France. The reason: renovation work on the Pierre-Mauroy stadium (see picture above), where the Olympic basketball (preliminary phase) and handball (final phase) tournaments will be held. Several cities have already been approached to replace Lille, including Bordeaux and Marseille. The former is due to host the Top 14 semi-finals in 2025, while the latter has been chosen to host the final in 2024, which has already been relocated because of the Olympic Games. Last month, the French Rugby Federation announced that the French national team’s home matches in the 2024 Six Nations Tournament would be played in Marseille (Ireland), Lille (Italy) and Lyon (England), due to the work being carried out at the Stade de France.
