Discover the Top 14: France’s premier rugby competition

Discover the Top 14: France’s premier rugby competition

If you’re looking to experience rugby at its most passionate, powerful, and culturally rich, the Top 14 deserves a place at the top of your list. As France’s elite professional rugby union league, the Top 14 delivers a unique blend of world-class rugby, historic rivalries, and matchday atmospheres unlike anything else in the sport.

Whether you’re a seasoned rugby follower or exploring new competitions to attend, here’s your complete guide to understanding — and experiencing — the incredible world of the Top 14.

🏉 What is the Top 14?

• The Top 14 is the highest level of club rugby in France, featuring 14 professional teams competing every season for the legendary Bouclier de Brennus.

  First established in 1892, it has evolved into one of the most competitive and prestigious domestic rugby leagues in the world, attracting top international talent and boasting some of the sport’s most iconic clubs, including:

  • Stade Toulousain – the most decorated club in European rugby

  • RC Toulon – known for its star-studded squads and powerhouse style

  • Racing 92 & Stade Français – Parisian rivals with huge followings

  • Clermont, La Rochelle & Montpellier – modern giants with passionate fanbases

  Every club carries its own identity, history, and culture — creating a league full of vibrant storylines and high-intensity matchups.

🗓️ How the competition works

The Top 14’s structure is designed for excitement from the opening whistle to the season finale:

• 26 regular-season rounds – each team plays everyone twice (home & away)

• Top 6 teams advance to the playoffs – top two straight to semi-finals, 3–6 in quarter-finals

• The grand final – the last two teams compete for the Bouclier de Brennus

• Promotion & relegation – the bottom club is relegated; the 13th-placed team enters a survival playoff

This format ensures drama throughout the season, with intense title races, heated derbies, and relegation battles shaping every matchday.

📍 What makes the Top 14 special?

Rugby culture like no other

French rugby is built on passion, identity, and emotion. Stadiums fill with roaring crowds, bold chants, club colours and matchday rituals that create an unforgettable atmosphere.

World-class rugby talent

The Top 14 is home to many of the world’s best players — from French internationals to global stars from New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji, Australia, and more.

Unique and vibrant venues

Experience rugby across a wide range of iconic locations:

• Buzzing city stadiums in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux

• Historic rugby heartlands like Toulouse, Bayonne, Toulon and Perpignan

• Atmospheric coastal and regional grounds that give the league its charm

Each venue brings its own character and electric matchday energy.

🏆 Why the Top 14 should be on your list

• One of the strongest and most entertaining leagues in world rugby

• Incredible matchday atmospheres rooted in French culture and tradition

• The chance to see elite international players compete weekly

• A perfect blend of rugby, local charm, and unforgettable memories

• Suitable for both first-time rugby travellers and devoted fans

🇫🇷 Ready for kickoff?

The Top 14 is more than a league — it’s a celebration of passion, pride, and world-class rugby. If you’re searching for your next live rugby adventure, this is your chance to experience France’s finest clubs in action.

Explore our official Top 14 ticket options and start planning your rugby getaway today.

Check out our Top 14 offer