New Zealand Rugby World Cup

The 7th Rugby World Cup will be from 9th September to 23rd October 2011 in New Zealand. At a meeting of the International Rugby Board (IRB) in Dublin on 17th November 2005, New Zealand was chosen as the designated host country. 20 national teams will compete in the first group and then in elimination games against each other, with 48 games being played in total.

On the part of the IRB, however, as recently as 1995, 16 teams played 32 games, and thus it was reduced. In early December, there was a decision that the competition was open to 20 teams. The representatives of the IRB found that there were many “gap filler” teams under consideration at the last World Cup.

Hosts: New Zealand
Opening: 9th September 2011
Final: 23rd October 2011
Nations: 20
Games: 48

As venue for the finals, the match for 3rd place and both semi-finals was elected to be Eden Park in Auckland, with a capacity of 60,000 spectators. The quarter-finals will be held in equal parts in stage Christchurch and Wellington Regional Stadium.

The Final is on 23rd October before Labor Day. The cost is estimated at around 310 million NZD. It is expected that this will be earned through ticket sales revenues of approximately 280 million NZD.

The rugby union World Cup in 2011 could be the biggest sporting event ever in New Zealand. Thus, it is believed that up to 70,000 visitors will be arriving from overseas because of the tournament.