French soccer and rugby organisations have indicated that they will be building a minimum of four new stadia and renovating a minimum of ten existing stadia over the next five years. This follows France's nomination as host country for the Euro 2016 and a recent announcement by the national French rugby league of a wave of stadia renovations. The French spend for Euro 2016 alone is estimated to be approximately €1.7 billion.
This presents an opportunity for Irish firms, particularly those that have been involved in the development of Irish stadia in recent years. In a campaign similar to Enterprise Ireland's 2012 Olympics Construction Campaign, which saw Irish companies securing €200m in Olympics-related contracts in the UK, Enterprise Ireland is working to align Irish construction and services firms with this significant French stadia investment.
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As part of the campaign, leaders of French sporting organisations, including the French Professional Football League, the French Professional Rugby League and the French Rugby Federation, visited Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and Thomond Park in Limerick this week on an Enterprise Ireland inward buyer mission to showcase Irish expertise in the construction of modern stadia.
The group of French buyers brought over by Enterprise Ireland included a number of important decision makers including Xavier Daniel of the French Professional Football League (LFP) who is the Director of Stadia for Euro 2016; Francois Quisfix, Director of Development for the French Professional Rugby League LNR and Paul De Keerle, Director of Stadia Development for the French Rugby Federation FFR.
The delegation also included representatives from French construction, engineering and architecture firms related to the stadia development.
Enterprise Ireland's Chief Executive Officer Frank Ryan said: "Over the last ten years Irish Stadia have undergone significant evolution. Our world-class stadia of the Aviva, Croke Park and Thomond Park are undeniably impressive evidence of the quality, innovation and excellence that Irish companies involved in this sector have to offer.
"Through these site visits and the presentations made by Irish firms, these important buyers can see innovative building and design techniques, energy efficient solutions and bespoke customer relationship management that can help France deliver its ambitious stadia development drive."
(CD/GK)
