Report advises of positive impact of FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup on New Zealand

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.