SkyCity Badminton Open Receives High Level Support

SkyCity Badminton Open Receives High Level Support

The SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open is thrilled to have the support of New Zealand Major Events confirmed by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce in an announcement yesterday.

Badminton New Zealand CEO Joe Hitchcock says the partnership and support is important on a number of fronts, not the least of which is the financial support for an event that is by no means flush with commercial support.

“Badminton is not considered a mainstream sport here in New Zealand but globally and with many of New Zealand’s leading trade partners, the game is huge – for some it is their national sport. The SKYCITY Open is one of those events that may well have a bigger profile in those international markets than it does here in New Zealand – but that home profile is growing thanks to the quality of players we are attracting and the badminton ‘education’ of the sporting public year upon year.

“Badminton New Zealand is excited to form this partnership that continues to build on that impressive impact and growth of the SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open. Support from the Major Events Development Fund enables us to take New Zealand to the world through an international broadcast to more than 100 million households. We are looking forward to working closely with all relevant government agencies and appreciate their support in building stronger legacies from this event.

“This is a huge help to us in what is always a challenge to bring this level of event to New Zealand, the money is significant and welcome and yet is just a small part of our overall budget in what is a significant annual international event. We continue to look for similar support from the business community to ensure the future of this event, one that we believe adds to the rich and varied vibrancy of Auckland’s culture while also promoting New Zealand to the world.”

The SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open is a Gold Status event, attracting a great quality and depth of player, something further assisted this year with its timing late in the Rio Olympic Games qualifying window – meaning players are chasing vital ranking points to secure quota spots at the Games.

Hitchcock says the tournament enables Badminton New Zealand to put the sport in the shop window on an annual basis, profiling some of the world’s leading players and inspiring New Zealanders into the sport.

“As well as doing great things for the sport and the wider community here in New Zealand, the SKYCITY NZ Open is a great opportunity to showcase businesses and brands with interests in those same global markets, in particular through Asia. As an example our coverage in Japan alone has the potential to reach an audience in excess of seven million* people, that is something that very few sporting events have the ability to deliver out of New Zealand.”

* The SKYCITY NZ Open will be broadcast on Japan’s J-Sport Network, with a household reach of 7,110,000

SKYCITY NZ Badminton Open
March 22 to 27
North Shore Events Centre
• 52 players or combinations ranked inside the world top 50 in their chosen discipline (singles, doubles, mixed)
• 20 players or combinations ranked inside the world top 20 in their chosen discipline
• 8 players or combinations ranked inside the world top 10 in their chosen discipline
• 248 players from 26 countries in the main draw
• Leading countries include: Korea, China, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and India. The entry list also features strong representation from the likes of Sweden, Russia, France, Vietnam and Australia,
• Semi-finals and finals covered live on SKY Sport in New Zealand
• Tournament is broadcast globally through the IMG Network

Tickets can be bought online www.nzbadmintonopen.com or at the door, with prices from as little as $5 for an adult and $1 for a child through the early rounds through to equally family friendly pricing for finals action, including options of 6-day tournament passes and hospitality packages for courtside comfort and the best views in the house.

The SKYCITY New Zealand Open semifinals and finals are covered live on SKYSPORT in New Zealand and broadcast around the world through the IMG network.

SKYCITY NZ Badminton Open
North Shore Events Centre
Event schedule:
Tuesday 22 March - qualifying rounds, first round Men’s Singles main draw
Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 March - preliminary rounds all events
Friday 25 March - GOOD FRIDAY - Quarter-finals
Saturday 26 March - Semi-finals
Sunday 27 March – Finals
Tickets and further information at www.nzbadmintonopen.com

ENDS

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