The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 drew significant numbers of international visitors and spending money into New Zealand, shown in the economic impact report released this week by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Economic Impact and Benefits Report
The report showcases the economic benefits enjoyed by New Zealanders from activities associated with the tournament, particularly in terms of gross domestic product, employment and household consumption.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, has been dubbed the most popular in the event’s history after having drawn a dedicated TV audience of 1.56 billion, an overall attendance of more than one million, and a crowd of 93,015 for the final in Melbourne between Australia and the BLACKCAPS – the highest attendance ever recorded for a single day of cricket.
In New Zealand, over half the matches were sellouts with “cricket fever” sweeping the country.
The tournament provided an exceptional platform to promote New Zealand trade and tourism to the world, especially into key and emerging markets such as Australia, the UK and India.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 also boosted GDP across New Zealand to the tune of $110m, including regional increases of $40m for the Wellington region, $35m for Auckland and $15m for Christchurch. A further $25m in economic activity was delivered to the regions through outstanding matches in Hamilton, Napier, Nelson and Dunedin as the whole country got behind the game.
Christchurch played a starring role by hosting the opening match at the newly built Hagley Pavilion, as well as a star-studded Opening Event. The success in Auckland was fuelled by the popularity of the BLACKCAPS' games against Australia and South Africa and, while Wellington also enjoyed blockbusters, some of the increase was due to centralised administrative spending with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 office based in the city.
Tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe were drawn to New Zealand as a result of the Tournament, staying for an estimated 240,000 bed-nights.
The PwC report details how the tournament substantially benefitted the New Zealand economy by boosting foreign investment, promoting inbound tourism and producing positive social outcomes through a focus on ethnic and multicultural communities.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White welcomed the report’s findings, saying they underlined the outstanding work overseen by New Zealand head, Dame Therese Walsh and ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Chief Executive, John Harnden; and the excellent relationship with the ICC and co-hosts, Cricket Australia.
“The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 was a wonderfully organised tournament and the findings from this report certainly highlight that,” said Mr White.
“Not only was every BLACKCAPS match during the tournament sold out, there was a focus on regional New Zealand that showcased our country in the very best possible light.
“NZC’s priority now is to capitalise on the momentum created by the tournament and to secure the future of cricket in New Zealand for generations to come.”
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Head of New Zealand, Dame Therese Walsh said the economic outcomes of the Cricket World Cup "are fantastic, and it is important to acknowledge the many volunteers, staff and organisations around the country who made this possible.
"It was a true New Zealand-wide effort which has not only provided the country with some great memories, but also the right return”.
