The Fijian Drua and Fijian Drua Women’s teams have made a significant impact on Fiji’s economy during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, contributing an impressive $108 million to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). This revelation was highlighted by ANZ Group’s senior international economists, Kishti Sen and Tom Kenny, in their Pacific Insight publication. The report underscores how the men’s seven games and the women’s two home games played a crucial role in generating substantial economic benefits for Fiji.
Having only joined the competition in 2022, the Drua teams have rapidly become economic powerhouses in Fiji. Their presence has indirectly stimulated the economy, particularly boosting tourism, and increasing sales across various sectors, such as merchandise, transportation, retail advertising, and media. The economists emphasized that each game day spurred additional sales and contributed to the GDP by a factor of 2.31 for every dollar spent.
Specifically, the hosting of Super Rugby Pacific games contributed $82 million indirectly to Fiji’s GDP in 2025, with an aggregate contribution amounting to $108 million. Additionally, these events have significantly enhanced Fiji’s international profile as a sports tourism destination due to live broadcasts worldwide.
The Fijian Drua teams have a mantra of delivering the “best ever” game-day experience, revealing the nation’s potential as a premium location for major sporting events and business activities. This growth trajectory aligns with previously highlighted optimism around the Drua’s influence in raising Fiji’s stature in sports tourism and establishing a professional rugby pathway domestically.
Furthermore, the increasing viewership of Drua matches, both on digital platforms and television, underscores the team’s deep engagement with the Fijian population, enhancing national identity and contributing to local talent retention and development. Efforts by the team, coupled with financial backing from partners in Australia and New Zealand, foster hope for continued growth and a thriving rugby culture that could support Fiji’s ambitions toward higher competitive standing on the world stage.
Overall, the economic, social, and cultural ripple effects of the Fijian Drua and Fijian Drua Women’s teams reflect significant potential for future growth, offering a bright outlook for sports and related industries in Fiji.