THE BLOG

Paris 2024 Olympics: Nice, the Host of Olympic Football Matches

Key Highlights:

Six Olympic football matches will be held at the Allianz Riviera in Nice.
Three men’s and three women’s matches are scheduled from July 24 to 31, 2024.
The French men’s team will face Guinea or an Asian nation on July 27.

he draw for the Football competitions of the Paris 2024 Olympics took place on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Paris 2024 headquarters, in the presence of Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, Arsène Wenger, Director of Global Football Development at FIFA, the coaches of the French Olympic men’s and women’s football teams, Thierry Henry and Hervé Renard, as well as coaches of qualified teams and athletes, including players from the 1984 Olympic champion French football team.

The city of Nice is preparing to host part of the football tournament. Indeed, the Allianz Riviera, the emblematic stadium of the capital of the Côte d’Azur, will be the setting for six elimination matches, evenly distributed between the men’s and women’s competitions.

Olympic Football Matches in Nice

From July 24 to 31, 2024, six high-level international matches will take place in Nice. Among the scheduled matches, we find:

Guinea or Asian nation – New Zealand (men), on July 24 at 5 pm.
United States – Morocco or Zambia (women), on July 25 at 9 pm.
France – winner of the play-off between Guinea and an Asian nation (men), on July 27 at 9 pm.
Australia – Morocco or Zambia (women), on July 28 at 7 pm.
Morocco – Asian nation (men), on July 30 at 5 pm.
Colombia – Canada (women), on July 31 at 9 pm.

Nice, an Olympic Crossroads and a Sporting Showcase on the Côte d’Azur

In addition to hosting part of the Olympic football matches of the Paris 2024 Games, Nice is preparing to play a key role in welcoming this event of international importance. The capital of the Côte d’Azur is a symbol of Olympism, as it will host the Olympic Flame on June 18, 2024.

Initiated in Olympia on April 16, 2024, the Olympic Flame follows a path rich in meaning, evoking the continuity between the ancient and modern Games. Its crossing of the Mediterranean, aboard the three-masted ship the Belem, symbolizes the link between civilizations and eras, heralding the grand return of the Games to France after a century of absence. Nice, chosen as a host city, will close the Relay of the Oceans before becoming a world capital with the United Nations Summit on the Ocean in June 2025.

Nice: a Paradise for Athletes

The choice of Nice as a host city and a stage for the Olympic Flame relay is not a coincidence. With its varied landscapes, its location between the sea and the mountains, and its exceptional climate, Nice and its region offer an ideal playground for a multitude of sports. The National Sports Museum, by enriching its exhibition with 34 Olympic flames, reinforces the indelible link between Nice and Olympic history.

The Economic Impact of Major Sporting Events in Nice

The organization of international sporting events in Nice is a remarkable vector of economic and social dynamism, with benefits that extend far beyond the simple period of these events.

The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, by positioning itself as a center of multidisciplinary activities, promotes the development of a diversified economy, oriented towards the international.

The announcement of the last stages of the Tour de France 2024, with a spectacular arrival in Nice, highlights the economic and promotional impact of this event for the region. The stages planned, from Isola 2000 to Nice via the Col de Couillole, are not only a sporting challenge but also a driver of growth for the local economy, attracting spectators and media from around the world.

These large-scale events have a catalytic effect on the local economy, mobilizing significant financial flows. The influx of international visitors generates increased demand for accommodation, catering, and leisure, offering a significant growth lever for local businesses and tourism services.

Beyond the purely economic aspect, major sporting events contribute to shaping Nice’s image on the international stage. They highlight the region’s natural, cultural, and historical assets, showcasing them to a global audience. This increased visibility not only attracts tourists but also foreign investors, interested in a dynamic and internationally recognized territory.