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A report recently published by the centre for the International Business of Support (CIBS), “The Economic Impact Report On Global Rugby: Strategic and Emerging Market”, the most comprehensive study of its kind, finds that global participation has increased by 19% since the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
More than five million people play rugby in over 117 countries. Participation in rugby worldwide has increased 19% since the last rugby World Cup.
Participation figures are highest in Europe, but there are significant numbers of players elsewhere, with increasing numbers in emerging markets.
Since 2007, participation has grown by 33% in Africa, 22% in South America and 18% in Asia and North America.
In terms of participation, Japan, Sri Lanka and Argentina now feature in the top ten countries, which bodes well as there is a strong, positive correlation between participation and performance.
These unprecedented levels of growth can be attributed to three main factors:
1. Developments in non-traditional game formats, particularly Sevens Rugby’s inclusion in the Olympic program from 2016.
2. Event-hosting strategies often with linked legacy programs.
3. Programs and investment. £153 million (AUSD 245 million) is being invested from 2009 to 2012, an increase of 20% over the previous funding cycle.
The study shows that while the top-playing nations in terms of participation in 2008 were the Six Nations and SANZAR Unions plus Argentina, this picture is changing, with Japan, Sri Lanka and the USA, all featuring in the top ten for 2010.
Japan was the top Asian market, ranked sixth with 122,598 registered players ahead of Sri Lanka (103,325), Argentina (103,000), Australia (86,952) and the USA (81,678). England (2,549,196), South Africa (632,184), France (273,084), Ireland (153,080) and New Zealand (137,835) topped the table for 2010 participation.
The report also shows that rugby is increasing its footprint within the USA, where a 350% participation increase has been experienced since 2004.
The growth also underlines the findings of another independent report that outlined rugby as the third fastest-growing sport in the country.
Growing interest in the USA is also reflected by securing the first ever network broadcast deals for Rugby in the country, with the USA leg of the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series broadcast live on NBC Universal and Rugby World Cup 2011 and Rugby World Cup 2015 set to enjoy an extensive platform with the same network.
The report also estimates that the US has a current fan base of approximately 300,000-400,000.
The report finds that not surprisingly, the introduction of Rugby Sevens as an Olympic Sport in 2016 has had a major impact on the development of the game particularly in Asia.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.