New Zealand’s economy benefitted by $109.5 million from co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, an event impact evaluation report says.
Commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the report says for every $1 invested in the event, the economy got a $1.34 return.
“(It) really exceeded our expectations in terms of not only the economic impact but also how well New Zealanders engaged with the tournament,” major events manager Kylie Hawker-Green told RNZ.
The month-long tournament, co-hosted with Australia, was expected to sell about 500,000 match tickets for the 29 games in New Zealand.
However, 740,000 tickets were issues, with almost half for matches at Auckland’s Eden Park.
Almost 27,000 international visitors came to New Zealand specifically to attend the tournament.
The report shows these visitors spent $80.4 million on accommodation, meals, transport and shopping.
Fans stayed a combined 312,000 nights in hotels in major centres Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin.
The report shows Wellington benefitted the most, getting a return of $1.42 for every dollar invested.
Mayor Tory Whanau told The Post: “The success of the events has cemented us as a great host of major events. More than just the economic impact it was awesome to see so many people enjoying the city and embracing women’s sports.”
Sports Minister Chris Bishop told 1News: “It was an amazing success story —economically, socially and culturally, and we want to have future events like that in New Zealand.
“If I can be a bit apolitical, one of the real successes of the last government was a real focus on women’s sport, in particular, and raising participation — and the Women’s World Cup was part of that.”
Listen to RNZ report
Here’s the story on RNZ’s Morning Report about the event impact evaluation report:
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