Japan's £4.3billion RWC2019 success story involved 242,000 international fans from 178 nations
World Rugby have hailed Japan 2019 as the most economically successful Rugby World Cup ever, with nearly £4.3billion generated in economic output according to The Economic Impact of Rugby World Cup 2019 report published by EY.
The report, launched during a webinar event, outlined how World Cup 2019 added £2.3billion to Japan’s GDP. It attracted 242,000 international fans from 178 nations, who stayed an average of 17 days, visiting five cities on average.
More than 60 per cent of fans were visiting the country for the first time, while their daily spend was 4.6 times higher than that spent by the average visitor to Japan in 2018.
Aside from a record economic impact footprint that reached from Sapporo in the north to Kumamoto in the south, the tournament also created or sustained 46,000 jobs and 13,000 volunteer roles, many of whom will be supporting Tokyo 2020.
The host’s ticketing strategy also proved successful with a total of 1.83million tickets sold. The 99 per cent attendance versus capacity rate across the 45 matches, which culminated in the South Africa vs England final after the All Blacks were dethroned in the semi-finals, is the most successful in Rugby World Cup history and among the most successful major sports events of all time.
#RWC2019 was a huge success on so many levels! ?
Were you one of the 242,000 international visitors to Japan during the record-breaking tournament? If so, let us know below! ?
We want to say a BIG 'ARIGATOU!' to you all for your support of our tournament, and our team! ??? pic.twitter.com/StTW0T1R53
— Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) June 24, 2020
It was the biggest single-sport event ever held in Japan. In addition, a record 1.13m fans attended one or more of the 16 official fan zones despite two typhoons during the event. World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: “The outcomes of this comprehensive EY report reaffirm Japan 2019’s status as one of the great Rugby World Cups on and off the field. It is also good news for France 2023 and interested nations and unions wishing to host in the future.
“It reflects Rugby World Cup’s status as one of the best-loved and most prestigious major sports events to host while highlighting the significant social and economic benefits that make the tournament such an attractive low-risk, high-return on investment hosting proposition for governments and unions alike.”
The Economic Impact of Rugby World Cup 2019 report (click here)
- Asia and Japan’s first Rugby World Cup;
- An unprecedented 44-day global shop window for Japan and rugby;
- Record nationwide economic impact beyond Tokyo;
- 242,000 international visitors staying average of 17 days v 14 days for RWC 2015;
- 60 per cent of fans visiting Japan for the first time;
- 90 per cent of fans said they would return to Japan;
- 80 per cent of fans said they had an exceptional experience;
- £4.3billion total economic impact/£2.3 billion GDP increase;
- £2.3b spent in Japan by international visitors;
- £286 average spend per international visitor per night, almost double England 2015 (£4,574 total average v £2,400);
- RWC 2019 visiting fans spent 4.6 times more than the average visitor to Japan in 2018; 46,340 jobs created or supported for the tournament;
- RWC 2019 visitors stayed 17 days, compared to 14 days average at RWC 2015;
- £2million pledged for the Childfund Pass It Back programme, a partnership between Childfund, World Rugby, Asia Rugby and the JRFU;
- 2.25m people introduced to rugby in Asia via the Impact Beyond programme (769,000 children involved in tag rugby in elementary schools in Japan);
- Significant infrastructure legacy for rugby and community sport, including the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium.
"It really broke every record we have for Rugby World Cups"
World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper looks back on the success of Rugby World Cup 2019, following the release of the #RWC2019 Economic Impact Report.https://t.co/AJehFjrMdZ pic.twitter.com/dp8DJwXToz
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 24, 2020
Nielsen Sports DNA report (click here)
Conducted immediately after the tournament, this report also demonstrated the significant pride and happiness benefits of hosting to the Japanese people:
- 78 per cent of the general public thought that Rugby World Cup hosting in a so-called “non-traditional” rugby market was positive for the future of the sport;
- 46 per cent of the general public thought Rugby World Cup was the most exciting sporting event of 2019 (70 per cent in Japan), compared to 25 per cent who disagreed, demonstrating the value of hosting to international marketing and national pride;
- The level of Rugby World Cup interest almost doubled from 26 per cent in 2018 to 44 per cent in 2019, representing more than 50million people;
- Nine out of 10 people in Japan believed that Rugby World Cup hosting captured the imagination, boosting national pride, excitement and engagement;
- Nine out of 10 people in Japan got behind the national team on their run to the quarter-finals, reflecting a 33 per cent increase in ‘niwaka fans’ or new fans during the tournament;
- 83 per cent of people in Japan believe that hosting Rugby World Cup generated a positive legacy for rugby, delivering future major rugby event hosting opportunities for Japan;
- 50 per cent of those in Japan who followed Rugby World Cup had become interested in the sport in the last year, highlighting the significant legacy opportunity for host nations;
- 54 per cent of those in Japan who followed the tournament were doing so for the first time;
- 74 per cent of Japanese who were aware of Rugby World Cup believe that the tournament will encourage more children to play the sport.
'It did turn sour'
Ed Griffiths' behind the scenes insight into the Springboks 1995 #RWC win ??, the back story to the Mandela moment, confronting flag-waving fans, holding clothes hangers for luck & the lost opportunity of it all
– writes @heagneyl https://t.co/XpSHESE4cF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 24, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
We’re building a bridge but can't agree where the river is.
2 Go to commentsfirst no arms shoulder or helmet tackle into his rib cage is going to be so very painful even to watch. go back to RU mate.
1 Go to commentsBulls by 5. Plus another 50.
3 Go to commentsJohan Goosen avatar. Cute. Surely someone at RP knows how to do a google image search?
3 Go to commentsCan’t these games play a little earlier? Asking for a friend.
3 Go to commentsIt’s impressive that we can see huge stadiums with attendance in the 40 000 to 50 000 region. It shows how popular this competition is becoming. What is even more impressive is the massive growth in broadcast viewership. The URC is one of the two best leagues in the World, the other being the Top14.
7 Go to commentsChristie is not Sottish, like the majority of the Scotland team.
2 Go to commentsHold the phone, decline over-rated. Is it a one game, dead cat bounce or the real thing? Has the Penney dropped? Stay tuned.
45 Go to commentsTotally deserved win for the Crusaders Far smarter than the Chiefs who seem to be avoiding the basics when it matters Hotham showed them what was missing and Hannah seems a real find - a tad light but that can be fixed over time
8 Go to commentsGreat insight into the performance culture with Sarries and I predict Christie will be a fixture in the Scotland team now for some time to come. However, he is slightly missing his own point around Scotland “being soft” when he cites physicality examples in defence of that slight. The issue is much closer to the example he referenced around feeling off before a game but being told “it doesn’t matter, you can still play well” by Farrell. Until Scotland can get their psyche in that square, they will carry on folding under extreme pressure…
2 Go to comments> We are having to adapt, evolve and innovate more than when we were in Super Rugby where there was only really one style that everybody had to play to gain the most success. Have = able to? Interesting what that one style might be? I thought SA sides still had bad tours now, or at least bad schedule, months away? Those extra few hours flights have to be a killer though, no surprise to see their sides doing so badly at the start of the season each year. I wouldn’t enjoy that unfairness as a supporter.
7 Go to commentsThe problem for NZ, and Aus, is they ripped up the SR model and lost a massive chunk of revenue that hasn’t been replaced. Don’t forget SA clubs went North because they were left with no choice, Argy unceremoniously binned and Japan cast adrift. Now SR wasn’t perfect, far from it, but they’ve jumped into something without an effective plan, so far, to replace what they’ve lost. The biggest revenue potential now lies in Japan but it won’t be easy or quick to unlock, they are incredibly insular in culture as a nation. In the meantime, there is a serious time bomb sitting under SH rugby and if it happens then the current financial challenges will look like a picnic. IF the Boks follow their provincial teams and head north then it’s revenue meltdown. Not guaranteed to happen but the status quo is a very odd hybrid, with the Boks pointing one way and the clubs pointing the other way. And for as long as that remains then the threat is real.
45 Go to commentsI think Etene has had some good tuition, likely while at the Warriors to be a professional that helped his rugby jump, but he was certainly thrown in the deep end way too early. Should have arguably 20 less SR caps, and therefor a way better record that he does at his age, but his development would have been fast tracked by the need to satiate his signing away from league. Again, credit to him and others that he has done it so well. Easy to fall over under that pressure in the big leagues like that but he kept at it when I myself wasn’t sure he was good enough.
1 Go to commentsAwesome story. I wonder what a bigger American (SA) scene might have mean for Brex.
1 Go to comments“Johnny McNicholl and the Crusaders” save a Penney. Who has been in camp this week and showed them how to play?
8 Go to commentsSo, reports of the Crusaders’ demise / terminal decline are perhaps just - slightly - premature/exaggerated…? 🤔 Will we see a deep-dive into that by the estimable Rugbypass scribes, and maybe one or two mea culpas? Thought not.
8 Go to comments1. The Chiefs are rudderless without DMac, which enhances his AB chances 2. Chiefs pack are powderpuffs. The hard men arent there anymore 3. They had their golden title chance last yr and wont threaten this yr. Gone in second round of playoffs.
8 Go to commentsHonestly, why did you have to publish such a foolish article the day they play us? 😂
45 Go to comments> They are not standalone entities. They are linked to an amateur association which holds the FFR licence that allows the professional side to compete in the league. That’s a great rule. This looks like the chicken or egg professional scenario. How long is it going to be before the club can break even (if that is even a thing in French rugby)? If the locals aren’t into well it would be good to se them drop to amateur level (is it that far?). Hope they can reset from this level and be more practical, there will be a time when they can rebuild (if France has there setup right).
1 Go to commentsWhat about changing the ball? To something heavier and more pointed that bounces unpredictably. Not this almost round football used these days.
35 Go to comments