The IAE’s Coupe de France is bringing excitement to Perpignan for a sporting weekend from April 11th to 12th, 2026. Over 600 students from 12 cities are competing in five disciplines, combining competition, camaraderie, and exploration of the South.
Two days for the people of Perpignan to showcase their sports skills. This weekend of April 11th and 12th, the Coupe de France des IAE (Insertion through Economic Activity) is being held in Catalan lands. For its 14th edition, the sports park of Perpignan is hosting this event for the first time, bringing together students from all over France for competitions in handball, volleyball, 7-a-side football, basketball, and 7-a-side rugby, complete with cheerleaders and mascots.
On the first day of the tournament this Saturday, the atmosphere is already lively. Teams are preparing with music, each clad in their IAE’s colors. Perpignan has chosen orange. In total, 12 cities have made the trip, gathering over 600 students. Among them are Montpellier, Paris, Rennes, Tours, and Rouen. Enzo and Karen, aged 23 and 25 from Brest, have decided to participate in handball. “We came to the tournament last year in Rennes and loved the atmosphere. We got along very well with the IAE of Perpignan,” they rejoice. Despite admitting they are not at a high level in sports, they are using the opportunity to explore the region.
Corentin Pacheco, president of the sports office of the IAE of Perpignan, fought to organize the event in Catalan lands this year. “We wanted to change the dimension this year and open up to the public. We wanted to make this Coupe de France a showcase for student sports. Show students from outside that we have a great living environment in Perpignan and that studying here is possible,” he says. And the South seems to appeal to some: “The Bretons went swimming yesterday and are inquiring about coming back this summer!” For Corentin Pacheco, it is also an opportunity to motivate the youth of the region, “show them that we can make a difference.”
At the end of the competition, medals will be awarded to the winners of each sport, and an ultimate trophy will go to the winning IAE. For now, it’s no surprise that Perpignan is starting to stand out in rugby.
