The French Rugby Federation (FFR) posted a loss of €13 million for its postponed financial year of the 2023-2024 season, weighed down in particular by losses linked to the organization of the 2023 World Cup, according to a press release published this Saturday, November 7.
The accounts presented at the general meeting confirm “the extremely tense economic situation”, the FFR acknowledges.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000The operating deficit amounts to “€29 million” for the season, compared to 15.4 last season. The federation notably recorded a loss of 16.3 million euros due to the deficit linked to the economic interest group (GIE) of the organization of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, of which it is a 55% shareholder.
Three million euros had already been set aside in the accounts for the previous financial year.
The Federation can still count on the windfall from the sale of part of the company that organizes the Six Nations Tournament to the CVC investment fund, which allows it to reduce the loss to 13 million euros for the season.
“Drastic drop” in expenses
The proceeds from this sale had allowed it to be in the black during the two previous seasons despite operating losses (net profit of 3.7 million euros in 2022-2023 and 6.6 million euros in 2021-2022), but it “will cease at the end of the 2025/2026 season”, recalls the Federation.
To improve the situation, the FFR is counting on a “drastic reduction” in its expenses, the renewal of the Stade de France concession in a “capital negotiation” in progress, as well as on a new “distribution of Six Nations revenues” which the FFR considers “currently very unfavorable to France”.
The FFR's finances have been a strong The issue of the campaign for the presidency of the institution, won in October by Florian Grill, in place since June 2023. In the world of rugby, several clubs and federations, particularly in Australia and England, are also experiencing serious difficulties.