DIEHARD
08-05-08, 08:15 PM
The end-of-season World Cup in Australia is already assured of commercial success, organisers claimed on Thursday.
Tournament director Colin Love outlined the commercial and broadcasting deals which he believes will make it the most ambitious World Cup in the competition's 54-year history at a meeting of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) in Sydney.
Jetstar join a host of blue-chip companies as the official Australian airline, while worldwide television deals mean the 10-team tournament will be shown in the United States, Spain, the Middle East, north Africa, Israel and the Far East as well as the participating nations.
Organisers have sold more than 2,000 corporate hospitality packages across the 12 venues and negotiated deals for 22 licences.
"This is the strongest revenue position for a rugby league World Cup at this stage," said Love.
"It's important to remember the enormous costs associated with an event like this. The most critical fact is that we are in a position to lay a solid platform for the future of the international game.
"The television interest underlines the success of the rebuilding that has been taking place in the international game in recent years."
The 13th World Cup starts on October 25 when England meet Papua New Guinea in Townsville, with the opening ceremony taking place the following day at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The tournament will feature 18 matches at different venues in three states over 29 days, culminating with the final on November 22 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
Already more than 25,000 tickets have been sold for the final, which appears certain to sell out, and organisers say early sales have also been encouraging for the games in Townsville, Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle.
The Federal Government has given its support to a festival of World Cups involving police, defence forces, women, students and wheelchair players.
Meanwhile Love, the Australian RL chairman, was re-elected for a fourth two-year term as chairman of the RLIF at today's annual meeting in Sydney.
RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis remains deputy chairman while Ray Haffenden takes over from Andrew Chalmers as New Zealand's representative.
Source: http://www.sportinglife.com
Tournament director Colin Love outlined the commercial and broadcasting deals which he believes will make it the most ambitious World Cup in the competition's 54-year history at a meeting of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) in Sydney.
Jetstar join a host of blue-chip companies as the official Australian airline, while worldwide television deals mean the 10-team tournament will be shown in the United States, Spain, the Middle East, north Africa, Israel and the Far East as well as the participating nations.
Organisers have sold more than 2,000 corporate hospitality packages across the 12 venues and negotiated deals for 22 licences.
"This is the strongest revenue position for a rugby league World Cup at this stage," said Love.
"It's important to remember the enormous costs associated with an event like this. The most critical fact is that we are in a position to lay a solid platform for the future of the international game.
"The television interest underlines the success of the rebuilding that has been taking place in the international game in recent years."
The 13th World Cup starts on October 25 when England meet Papua New Guinea in Townsville, with the opening ceremony taking place the following day at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The tournament will feature 18 matches at different venues in three states over 29 days, culminating with the final on November 22 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
Already more than 25,000 tickets have been sold for the final, which appears certain to sell out, and organisers say early sales have also been encouraging for the games in Townsville, Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle.
The Federal Government has given its support to a festival of World Cups involving police, defence forces, women, students and wheelchair players.
Meanwhile Love, the Australian RL chairman, was re-elected for a fourth two-year term as chairman of the RLIF at today's annual meeting in Sydney.
RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis remains deputy chairman while Ray Haffenden takes over from Andrew Chalmers as New Zealand's representative.
Source: http://www.sportinglife.com