(ATR) Japan is set to reap huge economic benefits from the 2019 Rugby World Cup in the build-up to the 2020 Olympics, according to a new study.
Research undertaken by EY on behalf of the Japan Rugby 2019 organizing committee shows that next year's tournament alone is forecast to deliver nearly $2 billion value to the Japanese economy.
The report says the quadrennial rugby tournament – the third biggest sporting event after the Olympics and FIFA World Cup – is expected to attract some 400,000 international visitors over the 44-day event. Through spend on items including travel and accommodation, visitors are expected to contribute up to $1 billion in direct expenditure.
With the 2019 tournament being hosted across 12 cities, the economic benefits will be shared around the country just months ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
"Rugby World Cup 2019 represents an unprecedented economic opportunity for the whole of Japan with a wide range of opportunities across many sectors that will stretch beyond the 12 host cities," said Japan Rugby 2019 organizing committee CEO Akira Shimazu.
"Through investment in infrastructure, supporting jobs or generating tourism revenue opportunities, this is a tournament that is on track to deliver a significant economic legacy for our nation."
The EY study suggests investment in renovations to match venues and facilities for team camps and in transport infrastructure in the host cities will leave a strong legacy for the Tokyo Olympics to build upon. It estimates that up to 25,000 jobs will be created across the country.
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said the findings of the report outlining "the enormous economic, sporting and social benefits of Rugby World Cup 2019", reaffirmed its "low-investment, high-return attractiveness to future host unions and governments".
"We are looking forward to what promises to be a very special Japan 2019 tournament that will secure not just an economic legacy, but a participation and fan legacy across Asia through our Impact Beyond programme, run in partnership with the JRFU and Asia Rugby," he added.
England Success Raises Expectations
The EnglandRugby World Cup 2015 tournament has set the benchmark high for Japanese organisers.
It was the best attended, most viewed, most socially engaged and most commercially successful of the eight Rugby World Cups in the tournament's history dating back to 1987.
A report conducted by EY said it generated $3.2 billion in output, added $1.5 billion to the UK GDP and attracted 406,000 international visitors from 151 nations. With 2.47 million ticket sales, RWC 2015 was the fifth largest single-sport event ever held.
Earlier this month,the Rugby World Cup 2019 ticketing program got off to a flying start with demand significantly exceeding supply for the initial team and stadium pack sales phase.
A total of 864,000 ticket applications were received from fans in more than 100 nations during the opening sales phase. Ballots were run for packs where demand exceeded supply, resulting in 300,000 tickets being allocated.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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