City leaders and organisations are totting up the final costs and income generated from the three matches played at stadiummk and the activity in the Fanzone during the tournament.
HRH Prince Harry and Fijian president Epeli Nailatikau were among the total of almost 88,000 spectators at the stadium to watch the three pool games. The Samoa and Fiji teams used Milton Keynes’ facilities as team bases for their Rugby World Cup preparations during the tournament.
More than 36,000 people visited the Fanzone in Campbell Park during its opening on October 1-10.
Milton Keynes Council deputy leader Cllr Hannah O’Neill said: “Hosting three Rugby World Cup pool matches is huge and has firmly put Milton Keynes on the map.”
John Cove, chief executive of MK Dons Sport & Education Trust, added: “stadiummk has played its part in sporting history, with more eyes on it than we could ever have anticipated.
"Milton Keynes now has a responsibility to ensure this was not just a one-off event and we need to focus on the legacy of Rugby World Cup by inspiring a new generation to pick up a ball to play sport and develop social skills.
“Rugby World Cup 2015 was three years in the planning and it highlighted what our city can achieve when key partnerships and agencies work together for the good of Milton Keynes.
"This should galvanise us all – irrespective of our agencies or organisations – to make the important strides that will earn us the recognition of an international sporting city.”
