The Giant Rugby Ball

This page contains video content, which you are unfortunately not able to view in this browser without version 9 or higher of the flash plugin (which you can download from Adobe here) and with javascript enabled.

The giant inflatable Rugby Ball was an unique venue and destination experience designed to gain huge exposure for New Zealand as the host of Rugby World Cup 2011. The Ball appeared in Paris, London, Tokyo and Sydney, showcasing New Zealand to many millions.

New Zealand's Giant Rugby Ball was a New Zealand Government project led by Tourism New Zealand designed to maximise the benefits to New Zealand of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Appearing in some of our key visitor markets, it waspart of Tourism New Zealand's strategy to raise awareness of New Zealand as the host country of Rugby World Cup 2011 and encourage visitors here.

In its international installations, by day the Ball was open to the public, giving visitors a stunning audio-visual experience of New Zealand, our heritage, landscapes, culture and tourism offerings.

By night, the venue became a hub for New Zealand-hosted trade and industry events, showcasing the best of New Zealand food, wine and hospitality.

The Ball appeared in Paris, France (2007); London, England (2008); Tokyo, Japan (2009); Sydney, Australia (2010) and Auckland, New Zealand (2011).

Past Highlights

The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France - October 2007

New Zealand 's innovation and creativity were on display during the final stages of the Rugby World Cup 2007 when the giant Rugby Ball was installed in front of the Eiffel Tower in central Paris. During the 15 days the Ball was open, an estimated world-wide audience of 137 million readers, listeners and viewers were exposed to media coverage of the Ball; over 25,000 passed through the interior of the ball.

Potters Field, London, UK - November 2008

Timed to coincide with the All Blacks tour in the UK in November 2008, the Ball hosted the Queen, Prince Phillip, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and New Zealand's newly-elected Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key. Over 7,500 people visited the Ball during the week it was installed alongside London's iconic Tower Bridge.

The Ball was the venue for numerous events including the International Rugby Board's Rugby World Cup 2011 pool draw. Media coverage reached an estimated 200 million people around the world.

The Tokyo Tower, Tokyo, Japan - October 2009

Over 14,000 people visited the ball while it was in downtown Tokyo. It also created a sensation in the Japanese media with coverage on television, radio, in print and online reaching millions of people.

Visits to Tourism New Zealand's Japanese website peaked on Sunday 1 November, the day following the Bledisloe Cup match played in Tokyo.

Circular Quay, Sydney, Australia - September 2010

The Giant Rugby Ball made its fourth and final international appearance at Sydney's Circular Quay between 2 and 12 September. It was placed alongside the Overseas Passenger Terminal, with views of the iconic Sydney Opera House.

This appearance in Australia - New Zealand's largest tourism market - was timed for the beginning of the one year to go countdown to Rugby World Cup on 9 September, and the Bledisloe Cup match played in Sydney on 11 September. It was a record-breaking appearance that surpassed expectations, with 26,670 people passing through during the 10 days it was open.