Paralympic Games Paris 2024 I Schedule, favourites... everything you need to know about the Wheelchair Rugby event

From August 29 to September 2, eight nations will be fighting for Olympic gold in Wheelchair rugby. For the seventh Olympiad for the sport, the competition promises to be one of the toughest, with teams of a uniformly high standard. Mixed teams, a volleyball, a basketball court, forward passes and four-on-four, the discipline seems rather far removed from rugby at first glance.

Where ?

Harmonious curves reminiscent of the Grand Palais and a strategic location just a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower. The Arena Champs de Mars will be the venue for the wheelchair rugby matches. A venue full of good vibes that has already hosted the achievements of the French judo team, followed by the wrestling events.

The hall will be transformed to make way for a basketball court (28m x 15m), divided into two halves, with a central circle and a goal line at each end.

When ?

The group phase kicks off at 11.30am on Thursday August 29, with the first match between Australia and Great Britain. It continues on Friday August 30 and Saturday August 31. The semi-finals will take place on Sunday September 1, before the final decision is made on Monday September 2 at 7.30pm.

Who ?

This is undoubtedly one of the most difficult competitions to predict. Among the eight teams fighting for the gold medal, it's hard to pick a clear favourite. Although Great Britain are the reigning Paralympic champions, they have been beaten twice in a row by France, at the 2022 and 2023 European Championships. Les Bleus were defeated in the quarter-finals of the last International Cup, in October 2023, by Japan. A competition eventually won by... Australia.

The mother nation of Wheelchair rugby, Canada, will also have its say, as its neighbour, the United States. Denmark and Germany seem to be starting slightly behind the other nations.

How can you get there?

Tickets are available from the official Paris 2024 Games ticket office. For the return match after the Olympic Games, take advantage of the opportunity and treat yourself to a second dose of happiness and thrills!