The national stadium, which is owned and operated by the Welsh Rugby Union, will host eight games including two of Wales’ pool matches and two quarter finals when the greatest Rugby Tournament in the world is hosted in England and Wales next year.
Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis has welcomed the report, which puts Cardiff firmly on the map attracting one of the greatest economic impacts of all eleven Rugby World Cup 2015 Host Cities, second only to London.
“Eight games of world-class Rugby is a massive coup for Wales and today’s announcement of a
potential £316m financial benefit for the local economy throughout the Tournament proves what an incredible coup it is for us to be involved,” said Mr Lewis.
“Everyone knows how major sporting events have colossal impact on our cities and communities and a Rugby World Cup is one of the biggest Tournaments on the sporting calendar.
“I want to thank all our stakeholders especially the Welsh Government and Cardiff council for their incredible support in helping bring our eight games to Wales.
“The WRU is proud that major events at the Millennium Stadium continue to play a significant role within the context of Welsh culture, business and tourism.
“We know from the economic impact survey we commissioned on the general impact of the Millennium Stadium that it routinely delivers some £130m a year into the wider Welsh economy so its importance to Wales is well established.
“We will continue to work with Welsh Government and Cardiff council to align strategies which attract and promote the biggest and best events to Wales.”
The study, which was undertaken by EY on behalf of the Organising Committee for Rugby World Cup 2015, England Rugby 2015, looked at the different ways in which a Rugby World Cup can benefit the Host Nation.
The full economic impact study has revealed that Rugby World Cup 2015 is set to deliver nearly £1 billion of additive value into the UK economy.
It estimates that the Tournament will generate a total output of around £2.2 billion, which is in line with a previous economic study undertaken by Deloitte in 2008. The EY report predicts that this will translate into a contribution of £982 million to national GDP.
The report states that Rugby World Cup 2015 is expected to attract more international visitors than any previous Rugby World Cup, with an estimate of up to 466,000 visits. Through spend on items including travel and accommodation, visitors are expected to contribute up to £869 million in direct expenditure.
In 2011, 133,000 visitors stayed an average of 23 nights during the 44-day event with an overall economic impact of 1.73 billion.
Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015, Debbie Jevans, said: “Rugby World Cup 2015 is set to create a wide range of economic opportunities across many different sectors. Whether through investment in infrastructure, supporting jobs or generating revenue in Fanzones, the economic benefits will be shared around our eleven Host Cities and beyond. With Rugby World Cup 2015 expected to attract more visitors than any previous Rugby World Cup, the Tournament is on track to deliver a strong economic legacy.”
With many of the match venues and Team Bases improving their facilities ahead of the Tournament and Host Cities committing to improving transport links, the report estimates that £85 million has been invested in infrastructure. This includes the £76 million redevelopment of Twickenham Stadium by the Rugby Football Union. These infrastructure investments are expected to continue to deliver benefits to the local communities long after the Tournament has finished.
The author of the report, Peter Arnold, a Director from EY, added: “Our forecasts are based on a whole range of direct, indirect and induced benefits of Rugby World Cup 2015, from the investment that will be made in infrastructure to the ticket and tax revenues that will be generated. The Tournament creates economic activity and employment throughout the supply chain, which has the potential to bolster the growth of the Host Cities as well as the UK overall.”
The hosting of the Tournament will help support a wide range of job opportunities across different sectors for a variety of different demographics of the population. The report estimates that up to 41,000 jobs will be supported across the country. This includes 16,000 employees directly linked to the Tournament and 12,000 along the supply chain.
With the Tournament being hosted across 13 venues in 11 cities, the economic benefits will be shared around the country. The report estimates figures for each of the Host Cities and looks at Exeter and Newcastle as case studies. It is estimated that in Exeter the Tournament will generate economic output of £39 million and, of this, £17 million will be added to the local economy. For Newcastle, the Tournament is estimated to generate economic output of £93 million and of this, £43 million will be added to the local economy.
Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Rugby World Cup is one of the world’s biggest and most popular global sporting events that attracts sports and major event fans from around the world for a six-week celebration of Rugby and the Host Nation.
“The findings of the EY report outline the enormous economic, sporting and social benefits of Rugby World Cup, reaffirming its low-risk, high-return attractiveness to future host unions and governments and just why the tournament increasingly is great for Rugby and great for the Host Nation.
“We are looking forward to a very special and record-breaking England 2015 Tournament on and off the field that will provide a strong profile and financial platform to reach out, attract and inspire new players and fans around the world.”
Minister for Sport, Helen Grant, said: “Rugby World Cup 2015 will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best of what this country has to offer to an international audience. Hosting the Tournament next year will further cement the UK’s reputation in hosting major sporting events, create additional jobs and I’m extremely encouraged by the £1billion contribution the competition will make to the economy.”
