EDEN PARK LOCKED IN AS CUP CASH COW

24th August 2007

Auckland, Aug 23 NZPA - Eden Park will host the crowning glory of the 2011 rugby World Cup, with commercial realities and logistical considerations ruling out an alternative semifinals venue.

It is not yet official but Rugby New Zealand 2011 Limited chief executive Martin Snedden today reiterated Auckland's sporting focal point was the only viable venue for both semifinals and the final of the sport's seventh global showcase.

With organisers expecting a loss of at least $30 million for staging the tournament -- and with ticket sales the only source of revenue to offset anticipated running costs of $310 million -- Eden Park's superior capacity clearly outweighs the claims of Wellington and Christchurch, a fact both cities appear to have acknowledged.

Once Eden Park's $190m refurbishment is complete the stadium will seat 62,000 spectators, about 20,000 more than Westpac Stadium in Wellington while Christchurch's AMI Stadium may squeeze in 45,000 after its redevelopment.

With tickets averaging $500 for the marquee games, Snedden said the additional revenue -- between $7.5m and $10m -- from those extra seats made a decision to hold the semifinals in Auckland a "no brainer".

Apart from the financial benefit in maximising revenue by filling Eden Park three times over, the fact up to 30,000 inbound fans would have tickets to both semifinals -- which are scheduled 24 hours apart -- made it impractical to move a semifinal out of Auckland.

Shifting that number of supporters to Wellington or Christchurch would place an incredible strain on airline and other transport networks.

Snedden had discussed that predicament with rugby officials in Wellington and Canterbury and although he said they were probably reluctant to visibly back Auckland, the underlying feeling was Eden Park was the sensible option.

"They will need magical answers to logistical challenges to be in consideration," he said.

"We gave them the challenge of giving us cause to doubt and there was nothing. They actually think it's right."

Canterbury Rugby Union chief executive Hamish Riach conceded it made sense for both semifinals to be held in Auckland.

"We are aware it's a possibility that will be the case. It's not a huge surprise to us."

In another harsh reality for home-based All Blacks fans it appears publicly issued tickets for the semifinal or final would be at a premium, although ticket pricing and availability would not be finalised until next year.

The All Blacks' pool games will be spread around the country while Wellington and Christchurch are each in line for a quarterfinal.

A series of workshops have also asked provinces to express interest in "hosting" one of the competing nations.

"We want to get smaller communities involved," said Snedden, emphasising the tournament was envisaged to touch all "four million fans" in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the International Rugby Board will announce in late October whether the 2011 tournament will feature 16 or 20 teams.

That will influence the number of venues to be used, while the allocation and timing of games will not be finalised until about midway through next year.

If, as seems likely, the tournament is trimmed to 16 teams it will reduce the tournament's expenses -- which are borne by the New Zealand Rugby Union -- as it costs $125,000 a week to host a team.

However, it might also mean fewer revenue-producing games, although Snedden said a 40-game tournament was still possible with only 16 teams.

Source: NZPA Auckland Credit: NZPA