Rotorua has won hosting rights for three Rugby World Cup games in a coup that is expected to pump millions into the local economy.
The city's proven track record of hosting international rugby matches has played a major part in it securing the matches over rival Baypark Stadium in Mount Maunganui.
The announcement was made at a Rugby New Zealand 2011 match schedule in Auckland yesterday and was immediately welcomed by city leaders.
Rotorua International Stadium demonstrated its ability to successfully host major rugby matches - the yardstick was set back in 2005 when the British Lions juggernaut rolled into town.
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union vice president Mark Canning said Rotorua's experience proved too influential to ignore.
"Culture played a big part in it," Rotorua-based Mr Canning told The Daily Post.
"We got 33,000 people into the Lions match here. I think it means a lot."
Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters described yesterday's news as "the best possible news for Rotorua".
There would be positive spinoffs for the city.
"We're over the moon about this because it's going to give the local economy a real shot in the arm, and bring us the sort of publicity and international profile that money just can't buy."
Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing general manager Don Gunn was equally delighted.
"The benefits to Rotorua will be all-encompassing for tourism, hospitality and retail," Mr Gunn said.
"Giving these visitors a memorable experience will see continuing benefits for Rotorua in the years after the Rugby World Cup."
Hospitality Association of New Zealand Bay of Plenty president Reg Hennessy said the economic spinoffs for Rotorua in securing host rights could not be underestimated.
His Tutanekai St pub, Hennessy's, enjoyed unrivalled trading conditions during the Lions tour, making as much money in one day as it normally would in a month.
"This is worth millions for the city and is probably three times bigger than us getting the Lions. It's going to be a 15 day-long party.
"I just hope everyone in Rotorua appreciates what we're getting and gets behind it."
Whakatane's Dick Littlejohn was one of two key organisers of the first Rugby World Cup in 1987. He was also part of the bidding team for Rotorua and was excited to learn of the group's success.
"I have been to every Rugby World Cup and there are thousands of people who travel the country that don't have tickets for the games," Mr Littlejohn said.
"They just travel the country to feel the excitement of the tournament."
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch have been allocated five pool matches apiece, while Albany, Hamilton, New Plymouth and Dunedin will each host three matches.
Whangarei, Nelson, Palmerston North, Napier and Invercargill will host two matches. Queenstown and Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium were also unsuccessful.
While Rotorua rugby fans are jubilant, neighbouring Tauranga has been left out in the cold failing to gain hosting rights for any games.
Mr Canning said it was inevitable one of the two bidding Bay cities would miss out.
"We all went into it [the bidding process] with our eyes open and going in with two good options, there was always going to be someone missing out," Mr Canning said.
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011 Rotorua International Stadium will host:
* Fiji v Africa 1 qualifiers, Pool D, Saturday, September 10
* Oceania 1 qualifier v Africa 1 qualifier, Pool D, Wednesday, September 14
* Ireland v European 2 qualifier, Pool C, Sunday, September 25
* The tournament starts in September 9, with the finals scheduled for Labour Weekend 2011. The opening match will be played between New Zealand and Tonga at Auckland's Eden Park - the same venue for the semi-finals and finals.
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