What Section Paloise does

Section Paloise is a professional rugby union club headquartered at the Stade du Hameau in Pau, Béarn, France, competing in the Top 14 league and the European Champions Cup. The club operates four core product surfaces: a professional sporting team supported by a centre de formation (youth academy); a Section Business division that sells VIP match-day hospitality (loges, lounges, season subscriptions) and rents nine off-match corporate event spaces at the stadium; the Club Henry XV business club, a B2B network of 140 partner companies organized around 10 seasonal networking events; and a merchandise operation comprising two physical boutiques (Stade du Hameau and 16 rue Maréchal Foch, Pau) plus an online store, including a co-branded 'Beth Ceu De Pau' collection with Born In Béarn. Revenues are generated through match-day ticketing and season subscriptions (transaction and recurring fees), corporate sponsorship and VIP hospitality (multi-year contracts, tiered pricing up to €75,000 HT per season for a 12-seat Loge Privative), Club Henry XV membership fees, merchandise sales, and off-match venue hire priced per person from €29-€52 HT. The customer base is split between the Béarn-Pyrénées regional business community (primary, served via a dedicated 9-person commercial team including a Directeur Commercial, Responsable Partenariats, and Chargés d'affaires) and individual supporters and families (secondary, served through online ticketing and youth fan programs). The technology stack is non-proprietary: a Webflow-hosted website, separate ticketing and e-commerce platforms, with standard marketing tooling (Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, Typeform, Axeptio for GDPR consent); no proprietary AI, software, or data platform exists in the business. The company is organized as a Société Anonyme Sportive Professionnelle (SASP) with stated capital of €2,273,590, operates a women's rugby subsidiary (Lons Section Paloise Rugby Féminin), and runs a Fonds de Dotation (endowment fund).

Name

Section Paloise

Legal name

Section Paloise Rugby Pro

Website

https://section-paloise.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Section Paloise is a professional rugby union club in Pau, France, competing in the Top 14 and Champions Cup, that monetizes match-day ticketing, corporate VIP hospitality, the Club Henry XV business network of 140 partner companies, off-match event venue hire, and merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Rugby Sports Entertainment

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Retail-Misc General Merchandise Stores (5399)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Hospitality & Premium Experiences (VIP, Suites, Fan Zones) (MPAGAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Travel & Services Membership Clubs (Ancillary Services-Led) (CRAEADAK)

Keywords

• Professional rugby club
• Corporate hospitality services
• Sports event venue hire
• Business networking club
• Season ticket subscriptions

Headquarters

HQ city

Pau

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Match-day ticket sales and hospitality packages: Revenue is generated through the sale of individual match tickets, season subscriptions (abonnements), and VIP hospitality packages including private loges, reserved seats, and corporate lounges. The club competes in Top 14 and Champions Cup, providing approximately 15 home matches per season.
2. Corporate sponsorship and VIP partnerships: Corporate partners pay for naming rights, VIP hospitality access, brand visibility at the Stade du Hameau, and inclusion in the Club Henry XV business network. Pricing tiers range from Pack VIP (entry) to Loge Privative (75,000 euros HT per season for 12 seats) and Loge Honneur (4,200-4,700 euros HT per place). Partners span multiple tiers: Partenaire Majeur, Partenaire Premium, Partenaire, and Fournisseur Officiel.
3. Club Henry XV business club membership fees: The Club Henry XV aggregates 140 member companies into a business network. Each member company pays an annual fee (implied through the membership structure) to access networking events, match-day hospitality advantages, and the business club's cross-industry directory.
4. Merchandise and boutique sales: The club operates an online boutique and two physical stores (Stade du Hameau and 16 rue Maréchal Foch, Pau city centre) selling official team kit, apparel, and accessories. A 'Collection Beth Ceu De Pau' co-branded with Born In Béarn is also sold.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Section Paloise Béarn Pyrénées is a professional rugby union club competing in the Top 14 and European Champions Cup, selling match tickets, season subscriptions, and VIP hospitality at Stade du Hameau. The Section Business division sells corporate hospitality packages (private loges, open loges, business lounges) and rents out the stadium's nine off-match event spaces for corporate seminars, conferences, and client events. The club also operates the Club Henry XV, a B2B business networking club with 140 member companies, and sells official merchandise through two boutiques and an online store.

Product overview

Section Paloise Béarn Pyrénées is a professional rugby union club operating a multi-platform digital ecosystem centered around its official website (section-paloise.com). The core offering comprises the main website for club information, paired with specialized platforms for ticketing (Billetterie), merchandise sales (Boutique), and corporate hospitality (Section Business). The Section Business division manages VIP hospitality experiences through various named loges (Loge Honneur, Carré Business, Loge Croix du Prince, Le Cercle, Le Pyrénées, Loge Privative, Loge Première Ligne) for match days and off-match event spaces (Hall VIP, Salon 1902, L'Ovalie, Vestiaires, Zone Compétition) for corporate events. The Club Henry XV is a business networking club with 140 member companies. Additional services include La Hèsta contactless payment card for cashless stadium purchases, season ticket subscriptions (Abonnements), and youth supporter programs (Kops Jeunes).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Section Business (Corporate Hospitality Division)
• Club Henry XV (B2B Business Networking Club)
• VIP Hospitality Loges (Match-Day)
• Off-Match Corporate Event Spaces
• Season Subscriptions (Abonnements)
• Kops Jeunes (Youth Supporter Programs)
• Official Merchandise and Apparel
• La Hèsta Contactless Payment Card
• Match Tickets (Single Match)

Quantifiable outcome

• Club Henry XV has grown from its 1998 founding to 140 member companies, all of which are club partners, with membership increasing each season.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TotalEnergiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTotalEnergies is identified as the 'partenaire majeur' (major partner) of Section Paloise Béarn Pyrénées. The TotalEnergies logo appears prominently on the main club website and ticketing platform, indicating a primary sponsorship relationship with maximum brand visibility.
• Communauté d'Agglomération Pau Béarn PyrénéescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIdentified as a 'partenaire premium' of Section Paloise. Pau Béarn Pyrénées is a local government community (agglomeration) that partners with the club for regional branding and tourism promotion.
• TeregacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTerega is a 'partenaire premium' of Section Paloise. The company operates gas transport infrastructure in southwestern France and is a key regional corporate sponsor visible in branding (tribune naming) and partner listings.
• Crédit Agricole Pyrénées GascognecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerA 'partenaire premium' and holder of naming rights to the Tribune Nord of the Stade du Hameau (Tribune Nord Crédit Agricole Pyrénées Gascogne). The bank also sponsors Club Henry XV through Loge Privative partnership.
• Cave de Gan JurançoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire premium & fournisseur officiel' (Premium Partner & Official Supplier). The winery's branding is featured in the Loge Croix du Prince hospitality space, which is decorated around the theme of wine. It also sponsors Club Henry XV through Loge Honneur.
• Cancer (Cancé)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire premium' and 'partenaire officiel' of Section Paloise. Cancer is a regional industrial/metallurgical company and a sponsor present in the Loge Privative hospitality space.
• Qatar AirwayscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerQatar Airways appears as a 'partenaire premium' of Section Paloise. The international airline provides visibility across the club's communications and partner materials.
• SogebacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSogeba is listed as a 'partenaire premium' of Section Paloise. The company appears in the premium tier of the club's official partner hierarchy.
• AutaaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire & fournisseur officiel' and 'partenaire premium'. Autaa is an automobile, rental, and transport company serving as a regional partner visible in the Club Henry XV directory under Loge Honneur.
• MAS BTPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire & fournisseur officiel' (Official Partner & Supplier) in construction/public works. Visible across the club's partner materials.
• OgeuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire & fournisseur officiel' — a mineral water/spring water brand from the Béarn region serving as an official supplier and partner.
• MacronminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMacron is a sports apparel and equipment brand listed as a 'fournisseur officiel' (Official Supplier) to Section Paloise, providing technical sportswear.
• EuralisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire officiel'. Euralis is an agro-food cooperative from the Béarn region with a sponsorship relationship with the club.
• Skoda (Sipa Automobiles Pau)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire & fournisseur officiel'. Skoda vehicles are featured as official club vehicles and appear in the partner directory.
• Citroën (Sipa Automobiles Pau)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire & fournisseur officiel'. Citroën vehicles are featured as official club vehicles, present in the partner directory under Carré Business hospitality.
• 3C MetalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire & fournisseur officiel' (Official Partner & Supplier). 3C Metal is a construction/metalworking company sponsoring the club.
• Club Henry XV (140 member companies)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Club Henry XV is Section Paloise's proprietary B2B club/association of 140 partner companies. It serves as both a partnership tier and a business networking community, organized around 4 pillars: financial support to the club, exchange facilitation between partners, belonging reinforcement, and exclusive access to the Section experience. Members participate in 10 off-match events per season and receive match-day hospitality advantages.
• 100% RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a 'partenaire' (Partner) in communication/media. Present in the Club Henry XV directory and hosted in the Pyrénées hospitality space.
• CCI Pau BéarnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Pau Béarn Chamber of Commerce and Industry appears as a 'partenaire' (Institutional Partner) in the Club Henry XV directory, hosted in the Cercle hospitality space.
• NovareaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerA Club Henry XV member company that hosted the Club Henry XV #2 afterwork event at its offices. Presented the centre de formation and facilitated privileged exchanges with staff and Clément Laporte.
• BirabenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMaison Biraben is a Club Henry XV member and gastronomy company (agro-food, duck and terroir products). Hosted the Club Henry XV Annual General Meeting and cassoulet dinner at its factory in Beuste. Also provided lots for the Golf Cup 2026 prize ceremony.
• Casino de PauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClub Henry XV member hosting the Six Nations evening event (France-Ireland) with pizza by Meltin Pau. Over 100 club members attended the evening, with former players Martin Puech and Jean-Marc Souverbie as special guests.
• Golf Bluegreen Pau ArtiguelouveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClub Henry XV member that hosted the Golf Cup 2026 event organized by Section Paloise and the Club Henry XV. Offered 18-hole competition and golf initiation for members.
• Padel Ground LescarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClub Henry XV member venue that hosted the Club Henry XV Padel Tournament with mixed teams, coffee and galettes des rois breakfast by La Mie de Pain, and post-event lunch at Henri Food Court.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Union Bordeaux Bègles (UBB): Top 14 rugby club based in Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, operating in the same league and region as Section Paloise. Comparable commercial model with VIP hospitality, loge sales, and corporate partnerships; slightly larger metropolitan catchment but similar mid-tier Top 14 positioning and revenue scale.
• Montpellier Hérault Rugby: Top 14 club based in Montpellier with comparable mid-tier positioning and modern commercial infrastructure including VIP hospitality and corporate sponsorship programs. Operates similar revenue diversification across match-day, hospitality, and merchandise.
• Castres Olympique: Mid-tier Top 14 club based in Castres (Tarn) with comparable scale, regional identity, and reliance on local corporate sponsorship and community-driven fan engagement. Closely matches Section Paloise's positioning as a regional Top 14 club with limited metropolitan catchment.
• ASM Clermont Auvergne: Mid-tier Top 14 club based in Clermont-Ferrand with a similar size, regional brand identity, and B2B/community-focused commercial model to Section Paloise. Comparable as a regional rugby powerhouse competing against wealthier metropolitan rivals (Toulouse, Paris) within the Top 14.
• Aviron Bayonnais Rugby Pro: Top 14 / Pro D2 rugby club based in Bayonne (French Basque Country), the most direct comparable for Section Paloise given the shared Béarn/Basque southwestern France catchment, similar stadium scale, regional B2B/hospitality model, and historical sporting rivalry. Both clubs compete on similar commercial and sporting terms within the same regional corporate ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• RC Toulon: Major Top 14 rugby club based in Toulon with a strong Mediterranean brand, multiple European titles, and significant commercial scale. Competes with Section Paloise in Top 14 but operates with a larger budget, broader national following, and more developed international sponsor relationships.
• Stade Toulousain: The most commercially dominant club in French rugby, based in Toulouse. Operates as a broad incumbent with significantly larger budget, fan base, sponsorship scale, and multiple European titles. Competes with Section Paloise in Top 14 and Champions Cup but operates at a substantially higher commercial tier.
• Racing 92: Paris-area Top 14 club backed by substantially larger financial resources (LVMH-linked ownership) and a major corporate sponsorship portfolio. Recently played Section Paloise in the Top 14 barrage playoff, illustrating the direct competitive context, though Racing 92 operates with significantly greater commercial scale and broader national visibility.
• Stade Français Paris: Paris-based Top 14 club with a substantially larger commercial operation, including premium hospitality, VIP loges, and a mature corporate partnership network. Operates as a broader incumbent in French professional rugby with greater financial scale, deeper sponsor pool, and broader national brand recognition than Section Paloise.

Regional players

• SU Agen: Historic French rugby club based in Agen (Lot-et-Garonne), currently in lower divisions. Comparable to Section Paloise as a southwestern French rugby club with similar regional heritage, supporter culture, and local commercial dependencies, though operating at a smaller commercial scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SectionPaloise
• YouTubeyoutube.com/SectionTV64
• Facebookfacebook.com/SectionPaloiseBearnPyrenees
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/section-paloise
• Instagraminstagram.com/sectionpaloisebearnpyrenees
• TikToktiktok.com/@section_paloise_rugby

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Section Paloise