Brighton's Rugby Cup Brings £28.5M Economic Boost

Brighton just discovered that hosting elite women's rugby was one of the best investments the city ever made.

Last summer, Brighton & Hove welcomed the Women's Rugby World Cup for two thrilling matches at the Community Stadium. Teams from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and England's Red Roses competed while the city buzzed with excitement.

Now the numbers are in, and they're remarkable. The tournament injected £28.5 million into Brighton's local economy, supporting restaurants, shops, hotels, and hospitality workers across the city.

Local hoteliers alone saw a £5.4 million boost as supporters poured in from across the country and beyond. Tickets for both matches sold out quickly, with 62% snagged by local residents eager to see world class sport on their doorstep.

The city also created a free Fan Zone in the center, welcoming around 6,000 visitors over four days. Families, school children, and rugby clubs from across the southeast region joined the celebration, proving major sports can unite entire communities.

Council Leader Bella Sankey highlighted the healthy return on investment. "This new report illustrates a significant upturn in trade for businesses across the city," she said.

The Ripple Effect

The tournament's impact extends far beyond the balance sheet. More than 2,000 local women and girls participated in rugby activities throughout the year, with schools and clubs organizing special events to keep the momentum going.

Two local schools even celebrated by featuring the four competing nations in their Children's Parade entry during Brighton Festival. The students later met players from the Australian and England teams at the Fan Zone.

Brighton renamed its beach "Brighton Breach" to honor Red Rose player Jess Breach, who grew up nearby in Chichester. These personal touches transformed the tournament from a sporting event into a community celebration.

Visitor feedback showed 61.2% agreed that Brighton is a great host for major international sport. That growing reputation now positions the city as a strong candidate to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2035.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson called the tournament "a defining moment" that changed perceptions of women's rugby and proved what happens when we invest boldly in women's sport. Brighton turned that defining moment into lasting opportunity for an entire generation of young athletes.