The upcoming Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan is set to bring in more money than the record-setting tournament held in England in 2015.
World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper told the Financial Times there had been unprecedented interest in quadrennial tournament among Japanese fans, broadcasters and corporate sponsors.
‘At the time Japan was appointed as host nation we forecast commercial revenues to be down 20 to 25%. In fact, we now know that total commercial revenues will be higher in Japan than they were for England. Our job after this World Cup is to sustain that interest in Japan,’ Gosper said.
Gosper explained that the organisation expects to earn around £360 million of its proceeds from the 2019 World Cup, compared with £330m four years earlier. However, this profit – worth £163m in 2015 – is projected to decrease because of additional organisational costs of holding the tournament in Japan.
World Rugby makes more than 80% of its revenue and nearly all its profit from the World Cup.
Photo: Archive
