Rugby World Cup 2011 starts in Auckland

12 March 2009

Rugby World Cup 2011 will open and close in Auckland after the region was today awarded the opening match of the world’s third largest sporting event.

Auckland was already the host of the business end of the tournament with the semi-finals and final confirmed for Eden Park, and has now added the huge broadcast opportunity of the opening match and ceremony.

The tournament will kick off at Eden Park on 9 September 2011 with Auckland on show to millions of viewers across the globe.

RWC 2011 tournament organisers Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) today allocated eight pool matches to the Auckland region with five (including the opening match) to be played at Eden Park and three at North Harbour Stadium.

Today’s allocation means that Auckland will host a match every weekend of the tournament except the quarter-finals weekend.

Auckland regional spokesperson for RWC 2011 Michael Barnett says hosting the opening match and seven other pool games will provide further opportunities to showcase Auckland to the world and maximise the return for ratepayers.

"Today’s announcement has further confirmed Auckland as the hub of Rugby World Cup."

"Hosting the opening match gives us another significant opportunity to establish Auckland as a desirable major events destination and leave a lasting impression that Auckland is a world-class city."

Barnett says with a total of 12 matches including the opening match, semi-finals and final, Auckland’s work in preparing for RWC 2011 have been well rewarded.

"The tournament organisers have put their faith in Auckland to host the Cup’s key matches. It’s now up to Auckland to deliver and we will."

Auckland’s proposal to host the opening match and additional pool matches was a collaborative effort by key organisations across the region including all Auckland councils, Tourism Auckland, AucklandPlus, the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, major stadia and the three Auckland-based rugby unions. A Regional Steering Group is leading Auckland’s preparations for the tournament and the Regional Sustainable Development Forum (RSDF) is the political body overseeing the work.

"The Auckland region is working together to ensure Rugby World Cup 2011 is a success for Auckland, for our businesses, our residents, our visitors and for our reputation," says Barnett - Chairman of AucklandPlus, RSDF member and Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive.

He says staging more matches in Auckland, with Eden Park’s 60,000 RWC capacity, allows more Aucklanders and visitors to experience a live match.

"Hosting eight pool matches gives Aucklanders a chance to attend a game at a reasonable price as the tickets for the knock-out matches will be highly sought after."

The tournament has the potential to generate up to $315 million* of additional expenditure in the Auckland region while providing an unprecedented opportunity to promote Auckland as a destination to visit or do business.

"Securing the opening match and seven other pool matches (in addition to the final, semi-finals and bronze final) was critical for us to maximise the opportunities the event provides."

RNZ 2011 will confirm where teams will be based by the end of the year.

Ends

For further information, please contact:
Michael Barnett - 0275 631 150
or check out Auckland 2011
For media assistance, please contact:
Simon Roche
(021) 656 380
*Sourced from RWC 2011 Regional Economic Impact Assessment report undertaken by Horwath HTL in June 2008

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