Securing Dunedin's first rugby league test for 86 years was worth millions to the city's economy, new figures suggest.
When the Kiwis took on England at Forsyth Barr Stadium on November 8 last year the match drew a crowd of about 15,000.
Economic impact data released by Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) yesterday showed the event was worth about $2.9 million to the city's economy.
About 44% of tickets sold went to people living outside the city, with most going to Canterbury (39%), followed by other parts of Otago (27%) and Southland (22%).
The figures were based on 831 responses to a crowd email survey - a response rate of 33% - which also showed about 5% of respondents came from overseas.
That included from the United Kingdom (33%), Australia (25%), United States (9%) and Germany (7%).
The data showed the test match was the primary reason for attracting about 5400 people to Dunedin, with each spending $427 on average.
DVML chief executive Terry Davies said in a statement he was ''pleased with the outcome''.
''We hope we can see more international league in the future under the roof,'' he said.
