New Zealand Open Delivers Major Economic Impact And Record Global Reach

The 104th New Zealand Open has cemented its status as the Asia-Pacific region’s premier Pro-Am golf tournament by delivering significant economic and tourism benefits to New Zealand and to the Queenstown region in particular.

In delivering its independent post-event results, the New Zealand Open is proud to report that the event generated $12.3 million in net economic impact for New Zealand and over $23 million in direct economic impact for the Queenstown region. The 2025 tournament saw a 48% growth in attendance figures with 34,199 fans turning out at Millbrook Resort delivering over 45,000 bed nights for the Queenstown region.

The Pro-Am format of the New Zealand Open continues to attract a global mix of professional and amateur participants from 23 countries, creating a festival of golf that extends beyond the fairways and deep into the regional and national economy.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston was pleased the event was such a resounding success, highlighting its positive impact on New Zealand’s economy and international profile.

“I’m thrilled to hear the New Zealand Open provided a strong boost to the economy,” said Minister Upston. “We’re proud to support world-class sporting events like this through the Major Events Fund. As well as contributing to the local and national economy, major events attract international visitors and strengthen our reputation on the world stage.”

Supporting the economic impact of the event, a record global television audience tuned in to view the 2025 New Zealand Open with at least 7.4 million viewers to over 90 countries. The broadcast featured sweeping views of the Wakatipu Basin and numerous world-class golf courses throughout New Zealand, showcasing the country’s golfing pedigree to a huge global audience. The broadcast reach was complemented by over 130 million social media impressions, a record for the event.

With the biggest viewership in China, India, North America and Australia the media outcomes delivered by the New Zealand Open align with the wider tourism objectives of New Zealand. The record reach of New Zealand’s flagship golf event supports ongoing growth of the burgeoning high-value golf tourism industry in New Zealand.

John Hart, Chairman of the New Zealand Open, said the tournament’s ability to attract both passionate spectators and affluent international guests is key to its long-term success: “We’re proud to have built an event that is driving growth on multiple fronts—raising the bar for sporting events in New Zealand and attracting high-value visitors to our country. The support from our international players and partners alongside the engagement from kiwi spectators has been phenomenal.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, praised the tournament's continued rise in the golfing world saying: “These results show that the New Zealand Open has truly cemented its place as the pre-eminent Pro-Am event in the Asia-Pacific region. The tournament has successfully blended the history and prestige of a national Open with a unique pro-am experience that is a drawcard for professionals and amateur players from throughout the region. It’s an event that the Asian Tour is proud to have on our tour calendar and one our players are always eager to be a part of.”

Nick Dastey, Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia’s General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships, echoed the Asian Tour sentiments saying the New Zealand Open is raising the benchmark for Pro-Am tournaments globally. “The New Zealand Open delivers a top-tier playing experience for both the professional and pro-am players. We have seen huge growth in people from Australia visiting New Zealand and in particular the Queenstown region throughout the year on golfing holidays with the stunning pictures from the broadcast whetting their appetite and marking New Zealand as a must visit golfing and holiday destination.”

Building on this momentum, Brian Howie, Director of Operations at Millbrook Resort, reaffirmed the venue’s commitment to the tournament’s future: “We’re thrilled to announce Millbrook Resort’s continued relationship with Golf New Zealand to host the New Zealand Open through to 2032. This long-term commitment reflects our belief in the value that the New Zealand Open brings to Queenstown and New Zealand as a whole.”

With its mix of elite sport, international exposure and economic impact, the New Zealand Open continues to go from strength to strength.

The 105th New Zealand Open will be played at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown between 26 February and 1 March 2026. For more information, please visit nzopen.com.

Key Statistics from the 104th New Zealand Open (as measured by YouGov)

• In 2025, the New Zealand Open generated:
  • $12.36 million in economic impact for New Zealand
  • $23.34 million in economic impact for Queenstown
• The total number of spectators across the four days of the New Zealand Open increased by 48% to 34,199 total attendees
• 74% of attendees came from outside the Queenstown Lakes District area
• The New Zealand Open attracted 1,114 international attendees in 2025
• Over 45,000 bed nights were generated in the Queenstown region as a result of the New Zealand Open
• The 2025 New Zealand Open received a +72 net promoter score from attendees
• At least 7.4 million viewers from over 90 countries tuned in to witness history unfold and the latest champion of the New Zealand Open to be crowned
• In 2025, the New Zealand Open gained elevated global significance with the champion (or leading non-exempt player) earning direct qualification into the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush
• Over 50,000 plastic bottles saved from landfill through removal of plastic water bottles on-site
• 13.7T of waste diverted from landfill through waste stream sorting and management on-site in 2025.
• A total of 523 volunteers played their part in the success of the New Zealand Open in 2025 and over 75% of these have indicated they will volunteer for the 2026 tournament.
• The 2025 New Zealand Open reached over 111 million social accounts and gained over 130 million social media impressions
• Millbrook Resort will be the home of the New Zealand Open through to 2032

About the 105th New Zealand Open | nzopen.com

The tournament is one of New Zealand’s leading sporting events with a long and prestigious history. It was founded in 1907 and will be played for the 105th time between February 26 and March 1, 2026.

The New Zealand Open is the only National Open in world golf played in a Pro-Am format, is a co-sanctioned event on the PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour schedules and has a partnership agreement with the Japan Golf Tour.

A professional field will play the first two rounds alternately at Millbrook Resort’s Coronet and Remarkables courses. The final two rounds will be played on a composite course including holes from both courses.

The New Zealand Open Champion will be the leading player after 72 holes of stroke play.

The tournament also hosts 156 amateur players, each partnering with a professional in a two-man best-ball event, competing for the New Zealand Open Pro-Am Championship.

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