The Fijian Drua generated a record FJ$108 million (NZ$84.26m) for Fiji’s economy during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, according to an independent analysis.

The report, authored by Dr Kishti Sen, ANZ’s International Economist for the Pacific, and Tom Kenny, Senior International Economist, found the bulk of that value came from indirect sources such as tourism, transport, advertising, media, and retail, not just ticket sales.

Shane Hussein, General Manager Commercial of the Fijian Drua, says the report confirms what many in Fiji have believed all along: the Drua are more than a rugby team, they’re a major economic driver.

“This is more than rugby," Hussein says in a statement. "The Drua have become a national economic engine. Every home game now acts as a catalyst for growth, creating jobs, filling seats on our National Airline, filling up rooms at the Tanoa Hotel Group and other hotels, supporting local businesses, and showcasing Fiji to the world.

“This report validates what we’ve known all along: the Drua aren’t just competing … we’re helping drive Fiji forward," Hussein says.

Sen, the lead author of the ANZ research, described the Drua’s contribution as “the largest recurring economic event in Fiji outside of the Pacific Games,” underlining the club’s increasing importance to national development.

The Fijian Drua hand down a challenge to the opposition during a Super Rugby match. The team’s strong performances continue to attract sell-out crowds, especially at home. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

"The Drua's impact underscores the club's vital role in stimulating business activity and driving growth," Sen says.

Hussein adds: "The Fijian Drua is the fulfilment of a dream - that Fiji can host and compete with the best teams in the world on the field. It is very gratifying to note that we're making an even bigger contribution off the field for our beloved country.

"The Fijian Drua will continue to invest in our women’s and men’s teams and event experience for even greater economic contributions in the coming seasons."

While the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has not publicly released a detailed comment on the ANZ report, its leadership has previously noted rugby’s wider economic role in the country.

In a separate study, Tourism Fiji and the FRU highlighted that Super Rugby events help drive sports tourism, with visitor spending, accommodation, and local businesses all benefiting.

The Drua leadership also called for continued investment, with Hussein saying the club is committed to working with “stakeholders, sponsors, and government agencies to build on this momentum".

Brent Hill, former Tourism Fiji boss, says the influx of visitors during the Drua games "will create jobs, attract large numbers of tourists and generate a great deal of economic activity".

The report revealed that more than 58,900 people attended Drua home games in 2023, and 21 per cent of them were international visitors, contributing significantly to visitor spending.

Fijian Drua player Elia Canakaivata in action during a Super Rugby Pacific match. Photo/AAP/Photosport/Lukas Coch

How the money adds up:

• Direct spending - ANZ estimates around FJ$26m (NZ$20.29m) in direct game-day spending (ticket sales, stadium operations, in-game purchases).

• Indirect spending - About FJ$82m (NZ$63.98m) flowed indirectly into the economy via tourism, transport, media, retail, and other sectors.

• Multiplier effect - For every FJ$1 (NZ$0.78) spent on the “game-day experience,” an estimated FJ$2.31 (NZ$1.80) of economic activity is generated in the wider economy.

• Crowd numbers - The report notes more than 58,000 spectators attended Drua home games, including thousands of overseas visitors.

Fijian Drua Women’s team preparing for a home match, part of the growing sports tourism and economic impact across the country. Photo/Fiji Rugby Union

Bigger role for rugby in Fiji’s future

Rabih Yazbek, Country Head for ANZ Fiji, says the report underlines how the Drua are not just sporting stars, they’re helping to “sell” Fiji to the world.

“Each home game supports jobs, fills restaurants, drives tourism, and puts Fiji on screens around the world.

"These games demonstrate our potential as a premier location for major events and as a centre for business activity.

The economic boost from Drua's games comes on top of growing momentum in Fiji’s tourism and business sectors.

Analysts say match weekends offer a powerful way to package world-class sport with Fiji’s natural appeal.

Local and international fans contribute to a major boost for hotels, restaurants, and transport operators. Photo/The Fiji Times

According to ANZ, the success of these events signals strong potential for more international sporting events and for further expansion of sporting tourism in Fiji.

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua pre-season started in October, and they will kick off their 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season on 14 February in Lautoka against Moana Pasifika. For more information on the Super Rugby championships, click here.