Rugby Football Union tops £150 million revenue mark for first time, confirming ...

The latest figures, published on Friday, dwarf those of the other leading

unions in the world game.

New Zealand Rugby Football Union, even given the financial benefits accruing

from All Blacks winning the 2011 World Cup, recorded total revenue of

approximately £54 million in their last financial year.

The Welsh Rugby Union took in £61million in revenue, with the figures for

unions in South Africa, Australia and Ireland standing at close to

£42million, £55.7million and £54 million respectively.

The massive increase in total revenue can partly be explained by the full

match programme last season, which saw Twickenham host four internationals

last autumn and three Six Nations matches.

But there were also major increases in sponsorship, hospitality and catering

as well as increased attendances at other matches, additional concerts and

non-match day events.

“This was an outstanding year in which continued growth allowed us to make

record investment directly with clubs and in operating the English game at

all levels,” said Ian Ritchie, the RFU’s chief executive.

“ We have made significant strides across the board allowing us to invest an

additional £3.5m in grassroots rugby, largely thanks to a busy calendar of

Twickenham events.

“Our unsecured loan granted by new banking partner RBS is allowing us to

upgrade Twickenham Stadium in readiness for our hosting of the Rugby World

Cup in 2015 and there is much to look forward to throughout the game.”

The financial reports shows that Twickenham generated an increase in

hospitality and catering of £9.9 million from £26.6 to £37.5, while

sponsorship revenue was up by £3.8million from £15.3million to £19.1million.

Ticket revenue alone increased by £20.6million from £13.3million to

£33.9million for hosting the autumn games against Fiji, Australia, South

Africa and New Zealand and the Six Nations games against Scotland, France

and Italy.

RFU chief financial officer Stephen Brown said: “We have successfully

concluded the first year of our Strategic Plan and look forward to achieving

our objectives through sustained and growing investment in rugby up to and

beyond the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

“The retained profit for the year of £3.8m was achieved after delivering

significant growth in rugby investment.

“The RFU’s profit and loss reserve now stands at a very healthy £20m

which, together with strong financial projections, enable us to comfortably

accommodate the fluctuations of the four-year Rugby World Cup match cycle

whilst maintaining investment in all levels of the game.”

Article source: http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/261203/rugby-japan-shock-wales-breakthrough-win

Rugby Football Union tops £150 million revenue mark for first time, confirming ...