The best sports events of 2023
19 January 2023
The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Area is a real playground for all nature and sports lovers.
It is therefore no coincidence that so many sporting events take place here every year.
Cycling, trail running, swimming, triathlon… Take part in challenges or support competitors while enjoying the splendid natural landscapes of this beautiful region.
Finish of the Paris-Nice cycling race- 11th and 12th March
The first “Paris-Nice” race dates back to 1933! Also known as “La Course du Soleil”, this professional cycling competition takes place every year in March.
Stage 7 – Nice – Col de la Couillole: 142.9 km
On 11th March 2023, the seasoned sprinters and climbers will battle it out in the mountains from Nice, with the ascent of the highest peak in the event’s history, the famous Col de Couillole (1,678 m altitude and 7.1% gradient) on the Grandes Alpes road.
Stage 8 – Finish Nice: 118.4 km
On 12th March 2023, the final stage of Paris-Nice will crown the great champion of this 81st edition, at the end of a 1,201 km competition. During this final day, the competitors will ride over 5 passes in the hinterland of Nice, including the Eze pass (6 km at 7.6 %) before finishing on the legendary Promenade des Anglais. –> www.paris-nice.fr
Take up the “Paris-Nice Challenge”
Take up the challenge under the same conditions as the professional race!
You are not a professional but you like cycling? The “Paris-Nice Challenge” is for you! On 11th March 2023, come and take on the final stage of the Paris-Nice, in the same conditions as the professionals! On the programme: a magnificent race course, a demanding distance of 127 km and, above all, a 2300m climb! –>Find out more
Nice International Semi-Marathon – 30th April
The Nice International Half Marathon celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022. This half marathon is a qualifying race for the French Championship. Year after year, it asserts itself among the most important events in our country, both by the number of participants (2,500) and by the level of performances achieved. With a race route running alongside the city of Nice’s most well-known tourist attractions and the Mediterranean sea, runners will have a choice of 5 distances: half-marathon, 10 km, women’s 5 km and children’s races. –> www.nicesemimarathon.com
IronMan and IronMan 70.3 – 25th June
6,000 athletes from all over the world come each year to compete in 3 events: swimming, cycling and running. Considered one of the most beautiful races in the world by the American magazine Triahtlètes, IronMan France Nice crosses the most beautiful parts of Nice’s metropolitan landscape. With a start in the Mediterranean (3.8 km swim), then a 180 km bike loop in the steep hinterland followed by a 42.195 km marathon, IronMan France Nice is a must of the sporting season. –> www.ironman.com/im-france
For those who wish, it is possible to register for the IronMan 70.3 which offers the same events over distances reduced by half. –> www.ironman.com/im703-nice
Ultra Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour – 7th to 9th July
The Ultra Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour is one of the most complicated trail events in the world. However, the event makes itself accessible to as many people as possible by offering 7 races of all levels. The different courses (from 5 km to 125 km) cross villages, mountain pastures, thorny forests, up to the summits of the Mercantour, opening onto the most beautiful panoramas of the Côte d’Azur, between sea and mountains.
Whatever the result, the important thing is to take part and to enjoy it! Endurance, respect for the environment, closeness to nature, solidarity… the most beautiful human experience for the 600 participants! –> utcam06.com
Hopman Cup – 17th to 23th July
For 5 years, the courts of the Lawn Tennis Club will host the Hopman Cup! For the first time in its history, the mixed team tennis competition will be played in Europe, in Nice. Each match will consist of a men’s singles, a women’s singles and a mixed doubles. The first three participating teams are already known. They are Spain, represented by Carlos Alcaraz (2nd in the world) and Paula Badosa (22nd), France, represented by Richard Gasquet (43rd) and Alizé Cornet (66th), and Switzerland, represented by Leandro Riedi (128th) and Belinda Bencic (9th). A total of six teams will participate in the 2023 and 2024 editions, and eight from 2025 onwards. As the host country, France will participate every year.
IronMan Men’s World Championship – 10th September
In addition to the IronMan France Nice and IronMan 70.3 competitions, Nice has been chosen to co-host the Ironman 140.6 World Championship (3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km run) with Kona (Hawaii), the historic home of triathlon. The race will be for the men’s edition and will take place in Nice on 10 September 2023, further positioning the Côte d’Azur city as the number one long distance triathlon city in Europe. Nice was already the first French city to host an Ironman competition in 2005 and has been hosting an international triathlon since 1982 (see above).–> www.ironman.com/im-world-championship-nice
The women will hold their World Championships on 14 October 2023 in the Hawaiian city of Kona. In 2024, the men will go to Kona and the women will come to Nice and the rotation will continue until 2026, with the two cities jointly hosting the event. The IronMan World Championships are a reference in the trіаthlоn world, which a trіаthlete must take part in once in a lifetime.
Rugby World Cup France 2023 – 16th to 24th September
51 days of celebration, matches all over France… From 8th September to 28th October 2023, the Rugby World Cup France 2023 will give France a great international exposure. The Stade de Nice is one of the French host stadiums for major events. In September, it will host 4 matches of this event that will keep the world of sport on the edge of its seat!
- Wales – Portugal, Saturday 16th September 2023
- England – Japan, Sunday 17th September 2023
- Italy – Uruguay, Wednesday 20th September 2023
- Scotland – Tonga, Sunday 24th Septembre 2023
–> www.explorenicecotedazur.com/vibrez-avec-la-coupe-du-monde-de-rugby-2023-a-nice/
Transvésubienne – 23rd and 24th September
A legendary mountain bike race since 1988, the Transvésubienne linking the peaks of the Mercantour to the azure blue of the Baie des Anges will showcase the world’s best mountain bikers in highly technical and challenging descents. From La Colmiane in Haute Vésubie to the Baie des Anges in Nice, the Transvésubienne offers 75 km of extreme adventure and pure mountain biking! In total, 82 km and 2,800m of positive and 4,100m of negative altitude difference and above all, extraordinary landscapes!–> www.ucc-sportevent.com/transvesubienne/
Nice Côte d’Azur By UTMB® – 28th September to 1st October
From the high mountains to the shores of the Mediterranean, Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB© aims to become the biggest trail running event in the Mediterranean basin. The UTMB® World Series Events bring together the best trail running events in the world, organised according to the highest quality and safety criteria, offering runners the opportunity to immerse themselves in the UTMB® experience around great human values: surpassing oneself, fair play, respect for people and the environment and solidarity.
This 2nd edition promises to be as grandiose as the first, with its 4 distances, from 20 km to 165 km, and as many opportunities for runners to discover the varied landscapes of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Area, from the highest peaks of the Mercantour to the panoramic views of the Côte d’Azur, before arriving in the heart of the city of Nice, on the famous Promenade des Anglais. In 2022, the race mobilised some 4,000 competitors–> nice.utmb.world/fr
Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice Cannes – 5th November
The 15th edition of the Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes will take place on November 5th 2023. The sun, the sea, the palm trees, the glitter… An exceptional setting for a “5-star Marathon“! From Nice, the runners will follow the Bay of Angels to reach Cannes, after having crossed the most beautiful towns of the Côte d’Azur coastline: Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Antibes Juan-Les-Pins… One of the most beautiful marathons in the world!
With more than 160,000 runners registered since its creation in 2008 and with 60 nations represented at the start over all the distances on offer (42.195 km – 2 x 21.1 km, 20 km, relay marathon) the Nice-Cannes Marathon has attracted competitors from all over the world with its beautiful scenery and mild climate. For this 15th edition, the 10,000 expected participants (30% of whom are international) are invited to run in blue! –> www.marathon06.com/2023/
In 2023, there will be plenty of sport in Nice!
With the arrival of the Tour de France cycling race and the Olympic football matches also scheduled for 2024… Nice Côte d’Azur is becoming more and more a part of the sports legend!
You will also be inspired by our other articles
