Cup party bill $4 million

The World Cup City Festivities programme is costing about $4 million, with $3 million coming from the New South Wales State Government and the rest from the Australian Rugby Union and the International Rugby Board.

Across the city, Sunday trading hours for hotels will be extended for an Olympic-style festival atmosphere.

The Opera House forecourt will attract 20,000 rugby fans over four nights to watch a big screen that will be broadcasting free coverage of finals matches between 6.30pm and 10.30pm.

A panel of celebrities, including comedians Roy Slaven and H. G. Nelson, will provide commentary on the nights of November 15, 16, 20 and 22 to each 5000-strong audience, who will be seated on the Opera House steps.

At the Rocks, another video screen will broadcast the same matches high above George St, which will be closed to traffic.

Sydney Olympic Park will host 14 live concerts, running from 3pm to midnight, over the six weeks.

Full World Cup coverage