Get Newsletter

Roaring profit for NZ Rugby after Lions tour

The 10-match tour was virtually a sellout, with 342 000 tickets sold as tens of thousands of Lions fans flooded into New Zealand for an event that only happens once every 12 years.

ADVERTISEMENT

NZR said the tour poured an extra NZ$40 million into its coffers, doubling the amount it made the last time the composite side visited in 2005.

It said government data estimated the economy as a whole benefited to the tune of NZ$245 million.

NZR generally runs at a loss – it was NZ$7.5 million in the red last year – and Chief Executive Steve Tew said the organisation would use the windfall wisely.

"The reality is we won't have those advantages over the next three years, but we have planned for that and will therefore continue to be smart about our costs and where our priorities lie," he said.

The three-Test series ended in a 1-1 draw as the Lions – made up of players from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland – exceeded expectations against the world champions.

Agence France-Presse

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Tackling reasons for drop-out in sport | Zainab Alema | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Krakow | Leg 3 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series | Full Day Replay

Kubota Spears vs Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

Write A Comment