AusLeisure

An impact evaluation report released by the New Zealand Government has shown that the nation’s co-hosting of this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup delivered a net economic benefit of $109.5 million.

This exceeded the predicted net benefit of $46.3 million predicted back in 2019.

The newly released study from the New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment shows that the tournament delivered more than was hoped for across all key measures, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.34 identified - for every $1 put in, New Zealand saw a return of $1.34.

Welcoming its findings, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment New Zealand Major Events Manager, Kylie Hawker-Green stated “while we know the on-field action captivated the nation, with more than 60% of Kiwis watching a match, we’re thrilled the report shows the economic returns were even greater than forecast for New Zealand.

“These economic results build on New Zealand’s successful track record of hosting large scale events and continue to show the benefits both on and off the field of hosting women’s sport events.”

Over 740,000 tickets were issued across the 29 matches hosted in New Zealand. In addition to this, there were around 170,000 visits to FIFA Fan Festival sites in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin.

There report showed that there were 258,527 unique attendees at matches, comprising 226,270 New Zealanders and 32,257 international visitors - with international visitors generating 312,008 visitor nights, with an average stay of 11.6 nights per person and collectively spending $80 million. However, it noted that not all of the international match-goers were attracted to New Zealand by the event.

Hawker-Green also pointed to the report showing that the tournament has permanently altered New Zealand’s perception of women in sport, adding “the event adds to the trifecta of successful Women’s World Cups hosted in New Zealand over the past two years, with Rugby and Cricket in 2022 and now Football in 2023. Hosting these three events was a deliberate strategy to elevate and showcase women’s sport in New Zealand.

“The knowledge and experience gained from hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 has enhanced New Zealand’s major event capacity and capability, and the success of the event will enhance New Zealand’s reputation as a safe and capable host for global events.”

Nick Sautner, Chief Executive of Auckland’s Eden Park, which hosted nine matches attracting 350,000 fans during the Women’s World Cup, welcomed the findings, noting “the legacy, both on and off the field, will be enduring and will be remembered for years to come. I would like to thank our local community for embracing the tournament and supporting our resource consent application to ensure these benefits could be realised.”

Images: Eden Park on the opening night of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (top) and Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner presents a commemorative print to FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the tournament (below). Credit: Eden Park.

Related Articles

12th December 2023 - New report from FIFA and FIFPRO shows levels of social media abuse of players at Women’s World Cup

11th December 2023 - Eden Park launches stadium perfume collection

7th November 2023 - Warrick Dent named new Chief Executive at Wellington’s Sky Stadium

31st October 2023 - Australia’s Nation Brand showcased globally during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

6th October 2023 - Forsyth Barr Stadium events contribute $32.5 million into Dunedin economy

5th October 2023 - 2030 FIFA World Cup to be staged in six nations as 2034 edition set to be held in Asia

17th September 2023 - Eden Park looks back on 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup success

24th August 2023 - Women in Sport Aotearoa’s pilot programme for Pacific Women’s Sports Leadership gets underway

21st August 2023 - Initial evaluation shows positive economic impact of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on Wellington

18th August 2023 - FIFA President hails ‘transformational’ Women’s World Cup

11th August 2023 - 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hailed as ‘most successful in history’

22nd July 2023 - Global broadcast platform in place for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

21st July 2023 - FIFA Women’s World Cup opens with attendance records broken in Auckland and Sydney

20th July 2023 - More than one million tickets sold for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup 

19th July 2023 - Quiet Rooms introduced at three FIFA Women’s World Cup venues

18th July 2023 - Research reveals FIFA Women’s World Cup to be most valuable women’s competition globally

17th July 2023 - France and New Zealand’s Eden Park brands unite

13th July 2023 - adidas launches new campaign to celebrate 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand

4th July 2023 - Eden Park appoints new operations General Manager

1st June 2023 - FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 sells over 850,000 tickets

11th May 2023 - Women in Sport Aotearoa aims to accelerate gender equity in New Zealand’s sport and recreation sector

13th December 2022 - Team Base Camp locations confirmed for FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023

1st November 2022 - ‘Unprecedented’ demand for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup tickets

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.