European Rugby Cup finals: an economic impact of £24.6m (€27.2m) for the city of Newcastle (ENG)

"European Professional Club Rugby's memorable 2019 Finals weekend delivered an impressive £24.6m (€27.2m) economic boost to the host city, Newcastle (ENG, host city of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals in May 2019)," announced EPCR on 04/09/2019.

"A capacity St James' Park (52,354 capacity) crowd of 51,930 witnessed Saracens' (Gallagher Premiership Rugby) victory over Leinster Rugby (20-10) in the Heineken Champions Cup final last May (11/05/2019), and in addition, the attendance record for a Challenge Cup final in the United Kingdom was smashed for the meeting of ASM Clermont Auvergne and La Rochelle (Top 14, 36-16, on 10/05/2019)," said the body which organises the two European inter-club rugby competitions.

"With hotel occupancy in the city at 99% and with a quarter of the visitors arriving from outside of the UK, the two Newcastle finals delivered a significant legacy to the community that stretches far beyond the sporting field. The results continue the positive financial trends witnessed in Lyon (FRA), Edinburgh (SCO) and Bilbao (ESP) since the 'destination…