FIJI Rugby Union chairman John Sanday says the decision to host the Flying Fijians’ July home matches in the United Kingdom has already delivered significant financial and commercial benefits for the union.
Sanday revealed that the move was a strategic business decision aimed at strengthening the Fiji Rugby brand and generating greater revenue.
“We took a major decision to host our three July home games here in the UK. This was not taken lightly and we understood the risks involved.”
He said the UK was chosen because it remains one of the world’s largest rugby markets and provided an opportunity to maximise exposure for Fiji Rugby.
The Flying Fijians’ clash against Wales attracted more than 16,000 fans, the largest crowd ever recorded for a Fiji home test match, and generated a modest profit of around $400,000.
“We always knew right from April that the profit and loss projected for the Wales match would be low given the slow uptake of ticket sales and other income-generating activities.”
However, the attendance record was shattered during last weekend’s match against England in Liverpool.
Sanday said a crowd of 50,100 spectators attended the fixture, setting a new benchmark for Fiji Rugby.
“In terms of game day revenue from all activities sold, we took in over £1.5 million in revenue.”
He added that the England match not only produced Fiji Rugby’s largest-ever attendance figure but also delivered the union’s biggest gate takings in history.
“We both set a record for attendance and also our biggest home game gate taking ever.”
Sanday said the positive financial returns are part of FRU’s broader objective of transforming the organisation into a sustainable business while increasing the global profile of the Flying Fijians and Fiji Rugby.
