Facebook has announced that it will be the official social media provider for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
For the very first time in its history, the Rugby World Cup will have a social media provider which has an initiative intended to raise the worldwide profile of the sport.
Facebook hosted a ‘two years to go’ live stream for the competition on September 8th to mark the commencement of their partnership and also because the World Cup will commence on 8th September 2023, which is exactly two years from now.
The show featured various special guests and even offered the fans a behind-the-scenes view into the procedures for the tournament in some of its host cities.
Facebook has decided to roll out various online activations, including augmented reality (AR) photo filters, as well as digital ‘live’ events and other content until the 2023 World Cup.
Facebook has even discussed offering free digital training for 3000 young people in France who desire to work in the sports industry supported by the tournament organizers’ Campus 23 apprenticeship initiative.
Claude Atcher, chief executive of The Rugby World Cup France 2023, said, “The Rugby World Cup France 2023 will be a time for celebration and sharing for French and international fans both in and outside the stadiums.”
“Facebook represents the biggest virtual stadium in the world and this collaboration will allow us to be even closer to Rugby fans and offer them new innovative experiences.”
Laurent Solly, vice president of Facebook Southern Europe, added, “Connecting people to their passion and creating community is Facebook’s mission and as the Official Social Media Services Supplier of Rugby World Cup France 2023, we will enable Rugby fans from around the world to come together on our platforms to celebrate their passion, connect with their favorite teams and players and share the values of respect and community that are core to Facebook and Rugby World Cup.”
“Contributing to the local community is equally important to Facebook and we are also delighted to be part of the Campus 2023 program and will mobilize our employees and experts to provide digital training to future sports professionals.”