French Rugby Federation inaugurates national center in Pantin
A 34 Million Euro Bet in Seine-Saint-Denis
The French Rugby Federation inaugurated a new 34 million euro national center in Pantin, designed to complement the historic facility in Marcoussis and expand the sport’s footprint in Seine-Saint-Denis.
Built on the grounds of the former Raoul-Montbrand stadium within the regenerating Fort d’Aubervilliers district, the new facility spans three fields—including one featuring a covered 660-seat tribune—alongside seminar rooms, offices, and an approximately 30-bed boarding school.
Florian Grill Warns of Annual 1.5 Million Euro Deficit
While the project was initiated under Bernard Laporte, then at the head of the FFR, current president Florian Grill acknowledged during his inauguration speech that the investment carries a particular weight given the financial situation his administration inherited.
Grill stated that the federation seized justice regarding several operational modalities of the project in 2025 and admitted he would have made different choices regarding the scale of the investment. According to Grill, operating the new center will generate a deficit of roughly 1.5 million euros annually, though he emphasized that the accounts have since been stabilized and the facility must now be put to productive use for French rugby.
Addressing the Capital’s Pitch Shortage
Addressing the broader infrastructure deficit, Grill noted that first-crown Paris lacks sufficient rugby pitches, contrasting the 2,000 rugby clubs nationwide against 13,000 football clubs.
The Pantin center will host multiple French national teams, specifically supporting under-20 squads and easing congestion at the Marcoussis base in Essonne during high-demand periods such as the Six Nations tournament. Local teams, including the city club and women’s first division side Les Louves de Bobigny, will also utilize the training facilities.
Community Access and Local Integration
The land is owned by the département, which established a 70-year convention with the federation. Stressing community integration, Grill noted that the facility will remain accessible rather than exclusive, incorporating local national sixth-grade cohorts from École des XV, an association dedicated to combating academic dropouts.
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