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Auckland welcomes Rugby League World Cup 2017 matches

19 July 2016


Auckland welcomes Rugby League World Cup 2017 matches

Auckland looks forward to welcoming rugby league fans next year, when it hosts two matches in the Rugby League World Cup 2017 (RLWC2017).

Auckland has been confirmed as one of the host cities for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, with Papua New Guinea to stage three pool games, from 27 October – 2 December 2017.

Auckland will host the opening New Zealand pool match and the semi-final. Both matches will be played at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium.

Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, who attended the RLWC2017 launch in Auckland today, says confirmation of the two Auckland matches is welcome news for the region and rugby league in Auckland.

“Auckland has 33 rugby league clubs, more than 14,000 players and is the proud home of both the Vodafone Warriors and the Downer NRL Auckland Nines, not to mention New Zealand’s number one league fan and ambassador, Sir Peter Leitch.

“The number one-ranked Kiwis will begin their World Cup campaign in Auckland with their opening match against Samoa. With the semi-final also being held here, Aucklanders and visitors will see some amazing league.

"Hosting these two matches lets people see world-class league, and lets us welcome and show off our region to league fans from around the world.”

Auckland’s RLWC2017 matches will be supported by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), which invests in major events on behalf of Auckland Council to realise social and economic benefits for the region.

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ATEED is investing $600,000 in the Auckland RLWC2017 matches. They are expected to inject $2.29 million in to the local economy, including generating more than 12,653 visitor nights. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the Auckland matches (across the two matches).

ATEED General Manager External Relations Steve Armitage says the RLWC2017 matches form part of a massive Auckland events calendar for 2017.

“More than 60,000 overseas and Kiwi visitors are expected to flock to Auckland next year, for the World Masters Games in April, the NZ Lions Series in June and July, and the Rugby League World Cup in October and November.

“That’s in addition to the thousands of visitors who come for our annual events portfolio, with favourites like the ASB Classic, the Downer NRL Auckland Nines, the ITM Supersprint and our unmissable large-scale cultural festivals like Pasifika and the new Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival,” says Steve Armitage.

“As Auckland’s economic development agency, we support these events because they deliver benefits for our economy and our people. They attract thousands of visitors, create excitement and buzz for people who live, work and study here, generate money for the local economy, and raise our profile internationally.”

Ends

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