Six Nations gives £62m boost to economy and creates 400 jobs, says sponsor RBS

Published on Friday 19 March 2010 20:26

SIX Nations rugby provides a £62 million boost to the Scottish economy, according to research published on the eve of Scotland's encounter with Ireland.

Yesterday's report by Royal Bank of Scotland, main title sponsor of the championship, showed takings at hotels, bars and restaurants are the main benefit as fans flood into Edinburgh for the international matches at Murrayfield.

Scotland played two home matches at Murrayfield in this year's tournament, against France in the opening game, and last weekend against England.

Dominic McKay of Scottish Rugby said: "Murrayfield Stadium is so much more than the spiritual home of the national team.

"It's a massive generator of significant revenue to Edinburgh and the surrounding communities, and the experiences visitors enjoy here encourage them to return to Scotland."

In the Scottish capital alone, RBS has estimated that the local economy will benefit from an additional 35m as supporters flow into the city from home and abroad.

The 62m figure is an average over the past three championships, a spokeswoman for RBS added.

The updated findings draw on independent research carried out by Tribal Consulting on behalf of the bank in 2008 and evidence on attendances, media coverage and travel costs.

Fans are likely to have spent as much as 20m in Scotland's bars, restaurants and hotels, according to the research.

It also indicates that the tournament sustains 400 full-time jobs annually across Scotland, including about 270 in Edinburgh.

An estimated 1,500 temporary staff are employed at Murrayfield on an average match weekend.

Stephen Boyle, head of group economics at RBS, said: "The RBS 6 Nations is a very welcome boost for businesses in each of the six host nations."