Nouveau Mayol – design description

Plans for a new stadium for Rugby Club Toulonnais were presented during a press conference held on March 4, 2026, at the club’s training center. The concept was developed in collaboration with the renowned architecture firm Populous.

The project envisions the construction of a modern stadium with a capacity of 18,000–20,000 spectators. The stands will be fully covered, and the exterior will feature a decorative façade transitioning into multi-level terraces facing the sea. The stadium will offer an extensive premium experience, including restaurants and a museum.

The new venue is planned on the Mediterranean waterfront, relatively close to the current Stade Mayol (slightly to the south), on the site of a former military facility (Arsenal du Mourillon), where naval shipbuilding operations were active until 2016.

Since then, the area has awaited revitalization, and various proposals for its future use have been discussed. The RC Toulon stadium project is one of the proposed options. Two adjacent locations within the site – Pipady and Tour Royale – have been identified for the new stadium.

The estimated cost of the project is €200 million. The club hopes to build the stadium in collaboration with local authorities through a public–private partnership.

RC Toulon, which competes in Top 14, France’s premier rugby competition, currently plays its home matches at Stade Mayol, located in the city center. The stadium is considered one of the league’s underperforming venues, failing to meet modern standards and lacking contemporary facilities.

According to a club analysis, upgrading Stade Mayol to meet modern standards and the team’s needs would cost over €400 million – twice the amount of constructing a new stadium – and would require the demolition of several surrounding buildings. For this reason, building a new arena is the preferred option.