Auckland: The 2011 rugby World Cup could deliver a 1.25 billion New Zealand dollars (Dh3.25 billion) boost to the New Zealand economy, the country's prime minister said on Tuesday.
John Key, speaking at the glitzy launch of ticket sales for the tournament, said a recent report by accounting firm Deloitte had forecast the benefits.
"From a New Zealand government point of view, we are hugely supportive of the tournament because we know it will be hugely successful," Key told dignitaries from local government, the International Rugby Board (IRB), and the business community.
"A rough estimate has estimated the economic impact is worth about 1.25 billion dollars to New Zealand. This is a big event for New Zealand and a big boost for our economy."
Projected loss
The tournament itself is projected to make a loss of about 40 million dollars, which will be met by the government and the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Under the hosting agreement with the IRB, tournament organisers are only able to keep revenue generated from the sale of tickets, which will be launched on April 27.
The 1.65 million tickets will be sold in three separate phases, with the first batch of 750,000 being sold for individual teams or venues during the pool phase.
A third of the first batch of tickets will be available only to rugby players, supporters, volunteers and officials in New Zealand, with the rest available to global customers.
The most expensive ticket package in the first phase will cost 1,720 dollars for five matches at Auckland's Eden Park.
New Zealand will play Tonga in the opening match.
Ticket sales
Tickets for next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will go on sale worldwide from April 27, organisers said yesterday.
The first batch of 750,000 tickets — out of a total of 1.65 million for the tournament — will be sold in packs, with individual match tickets going on sale later in the year, Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 said.
The packs will be for rugby fans who want to buy tickets for all pool matches.
