Montpellier Herault Rugby

What Montpellier Herault Rugby does

Montpellier Hérault Rugby (MHR) is a professional rugby union club founded in 1986 through the merger of Stade Montpelliérain and Montpellier Universit\u00e9 Club, making it the youngest club in France's Top 14 elite division. The men's team competes in Top 14 and the European Champions Cup from the Septeo Stadium (also known as GGL Stadium / Stade Yves du Manoir) in Montpellier, and has maintained elite-division status for 22 consecutive seasons since 2003. The club also fields a women's team in Elite 1 Féminine and runs a comprehensive youth development system from Baby Rugby through the Espoirs. In 2022, MHR won its first Bouclier de Brennus (Top 14 championship), supplemented by Challenge Cup wins in 2016 and 2021.

MHR operates a diversified sports-property revenue model combining recurring and transactional streams. Core revenue streams include season subscriptions (2,000+ subscribers for 2025/26, with 1,200+ acquired in the first week of 2026/27), match-by-match ticketing, official merchandise sales (e.g., €90 replica jerseys) via on-site boutique and online store, and corporate sponsorship and partnerships with brands such as Groupe Altrad, Septeo, Hummel, Crédit Agricole Languedoc, Vignobles Jeanjean, and public-sector partners (Hérault Département, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, Région Occitanie). Premium matchday experiences (VIP Terrain, loges, Salle des trophées, Club 1986, Espace Jeanjean) and corporate seminar/event hosting at Septeo Stadium form a meaningful B2B segment, distributed through direct enterprise sales and the Mon MHR Business platform.

The club is privately held under the controlling ownership of Mohed Altrad through Groupe Altrad (since 2011) and operates a Category 1-ranked Centre de Formation with 42 on-site studios, producing a documented talent pipeline (11 French internationals, 40 France U20 caps, 17 foreign internationals among graduates). Beyond core matchday and merchandise, MHR runs a Centre de Formation, BPJEPS Rugby à XV vocational training (launched July 2026), summer rugby camps (Stages by MHR), the Impact Magazine, MHR Events, and MHR Solidaire charitable initiatives. Distribution spans a dedicated mobile app, owned e-commerce storefronts, multi-channel social presence, and direct B2B sales. Subsidiary: wholly owned Centre de Formation du MHR.

Name

Montpellier Herault Rugby

Legal name

Montpellier Hérault Rugby

Website

https://montpellier-rugby.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Rugby Club / Sports Entertainment

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121), Other Spectator Sports (711219)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Rugby (Union & League) Leagues (MPAKAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Athlete & Team Sponsorship Deals (Official Partners, Jersey/Kit Sponsors) (MPAKALAA), Licensing, Merchandising & Co-Branded Products (Sponsored Merchandise, Collabs) (MPAKALAE), Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB)

Keywords

• Professional rugby club
• Rugby training academy
• Matchday ticketing services
• Sports merchandise retail
• Corporate hospitality events

Headquarters

HQ city

Montpellier

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets for Top 14 and Champions Cup matches at the Septeo Stadium
2. Season Ticket Subscriptions: Annual subscriptions providing guaranteed seats for 13 Top 14 matches and 2 Champions Cup pool matches, with 30% discount on additional seats and priority for playoff purchases
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of official MHR merchandise including jerseys, apparel, and accessories through physical boutique at Septeo Stadium and online store (boutique.montpellier-rugby.com)
4. Corporate Sponsorship and Partnerships: Partnership deals with businesses offering visibility through equipment branding, LED signage, fixed signage, website placement, and VIP hospitality access
5. VIP Hospitality Packages: Premium matchday experiences including VIP Terrain, private loges (18-30 seats), Salle des trophées, Club 1986, and Espace Jeanjean for corporate client entertainment
6. Events and Seminars: Corporate seminar packages and event hosting at the stadium facilities for team building and business meetings

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Montpellier Hérault Rugby operates a professional rugby union club competing in the Top 14 championship and European Champions Cup, generating revenue from matchday ticket sales (season subscriptions and individual match tickets), team merchandise, VIP and corporate hospitality packages, corporate sponsorships and partnership rights, a Category 1 Centre de Formation youth academy, BPJEPS Rugby Formation coaching diplomas, rugby summer camps (Stages by MHR), and corporate/private event hosting (MHR Events) at Septeo Stadium.

Product overview

Montpellier Hérault Rugby (MHR) is a professional rugby union club competing in Top 14 and Champions Cup. The club operates as a comprehensive sports organization offering match day ticketing and season subscriptions, an official merchandise store (Boutique MHR), VIP hospitality packages, youth training via its Centre de Formation, vocational BPJEPS Rugby training, summer camps (Stages by MHR), the official Impact Magazine, MHR Events for special occasions, and charitable initiatives through MHR Solidaire. The product portfolio centers on live rugby experiences at the Septeo Stadium complemented by year-round engagement through merchandise, training programs, and community events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Season and Match Tickets (Billetterie MHR)

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 14 Champions 2021-22, first Bouclier de Brennus in club history
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• CLIM-MAGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2025Official partner from May 2025 for two seasons until 2027. HVAC and air conditioning solutions provider for climate control systems.
• Vignobles JeanjeanmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWine partner and sponsor with Espace Jeanjean hospitality area at the stadium. Regional vineyard showcasing Occitanie wines.
• HummelmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical kit supplier for official MHR apparel and merchandise. Sportswear brand with rugby expertise.
• Hérault DépartementmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government partner (Department) supporting the club and local sports development initiatives.
• Montpellier Méditerranée MétropolemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetropolitan area partner supporting regional sports, community initiatives, and territorial development.
• Région OccitaniemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council partner supporting the club's development and regional sports promotion.
• IntersportminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSports equipment retailer partner for sporting goods distribution and equipment sponsorship.
• Hectare UrbanismeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban planning and development partner supporting club infrastructure and territorial projects.
• Oxytalis (CFA du Montpellier Hérault Sport Club)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and education partner for Centre de Formation players. Offers programs from Bac to Bac+5 in Commerce, Marketing, Communication, Digital with schedules adapted for high-level rugby practice.
• GGL StadiumcoreOthersHome stadium venue (also known as Stade Yves du Manoir). Main competition venue with approximately 15,000+ capacity for MHR professional matches.
• Centre de Formation d'Apprentis (CFA) du Montpellier Hérault Sport ClubmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerApprenticeship training center partner collaborating with MHR on the BPJEPS Rugby à XV formation program for developing coaches and sports professionals.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stade Français Paris: Paris-based Top 14 club with a strong heritage and corporate identity (Hans-Peter Wild/AXA-linked). Direct peer across ticketing, premium hospitality and Stade Jean-Bouin matchday operations.
• LOU Rugby (Lyon OU): Privately-owned Top 14 club based in Lyon with strong corporate backing (GL Events). Comparable to MHR in private ownership model, regional identity-driven commercial strategy and modern stadium (Groupama Stadium).
• Section Paloise (Pau): Top 14 club from southwestern France. Comparable as a French professional rugby club relying on regional sponsors, ticketing and academy output to compete at elite level.
• Stade Toulousain: Most successful and dominant club in Top 14, also privately held. Comparable as a French professional rugby union club selling tickets, subscriptions, merchandise, sponsorship and hospitality, with deep academy infrastructure and a major stadium.
• RC Toulon: Private Top 14 club owned by Bernard Lemaître. Comparable in ownership-driven spending model, Champions Cup pedigree (3 European titles), and reliance on corporate sponsorship, VIP hospitality and star player recruitment.
• Castres Olympique: Top 14 club owned by Pierre Fabre group. Highly comparable as a regional French rugby union club with a major industrial-family owner, similar B2B partnership focus and direct rivalry with MHR (defeated in 2022 Top 14 final).
• Union Bordeaux Bègles: Top 14 club with corporate ownership (Laurent Marti). Comparable as a Top 14 side that recently broke through with Champions Cup / Top 14 success, with similar merchandising and corporate partnership monetization.
• Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle): Recent Top 14 champion (2023, 2024) and European Challenge Cup winner. Direct peer with similar professional sporting ambitions, academy investment and corporate sponsorship monetization in Top 14.
• Racing 92: Paris-based Top 14 club with a major corporate (Jacky Lorenzetti-owned) structure. Highly comparable to MHR as a privately-financed Top 14 club focused on premium B2B hospitality, sponsorship sales and corporate entertainment.
• ASM Clermont Auvergne: Historic Top 14 club historically backed by Michelin family. Closely comparable to MHR as a Top 14 rugby club with strong regional identity, traditional sponsorship base and significant academy history.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mhr_officiel
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/montpellierrugby
• Facebookfacebook.com/Montpellier.Rugby
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montpellier-h-rault-rugby
• Instagraminstagram.com/mhr_officiel
• TikToktiktok.com/@mhr_officiel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montpellier Herault Rugby