In delivering its independent post-event results, the New Zealand Open is proud to report that the event generated $12.3 million in net economic impact for New Zealand and over $23 million in direct economic impact for the Queenstown region. The 2025 tournament saw a 48% growth in attendance figures with 34,199 fans turning out at Millbrook Resort delivering over 45,000 bed nights for the Queenstown region.
The Pro-Am format of the New Zealand Open continues to attract a global mix of professional and amateur participants from 23 countries, creating a festival of golf that extends beyond the fairways and deep into the regional and national economy.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston was pleased the event was such a resounding success, highlighting its positive impact on New Zealand’s economy and international profile.
“I’m thrilled to hear the New Zealand Open provided a strong boost to the economy,” said Minister Upston. “We’re proud to support world-class sporting events like this through the Major Events Fund. As well as contributing to the local and national economy, major events attract international visitors and strengthen our reputation on the world stage.”
Supporting the economic impact of the event, a record global television audience tuned in to view the 2025 New Zealand Open with at least 7.4 million viewers to over 90 countries. The broadcast featured sweeping views of the Wakatipu Basin and numerous world-class golf courses throughout New Zealand, showcasing the country’s golfing pedigree to a huge global audience. The broadcast reach was complemented by over 130 million social media impressions, a record for the event.
With the biggest viewership in China, India, North America and Australia the media outcomes delivered by the New Zealand Open align with the wider tourism objectives of New Zealand. The record reach of New Zealand’s flagship golf event supports ongoing growth of the burgeoning high-value golf tourism industry in New Zealand.
John Hart, Chairman of the New Zealand Open, said the tournament’s ability to attract both passionate spectators and affluent international guests is key to its long-term success: “We’re proud to have built an event that is driving growth on multiple fronts—raising the bar for sporting events in New Zealand and attracting high-value visitors to our country. The support from our international players and partners alongside the engagement from kiwi spectators has been phenomenal.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, praised the tournament’s continued rise in the golfing world saying: “These results show that the New Zealand Open has truly cemented its place as the pre-eminent Pro-Am event in the Asia-Pacific region. The tournament has successfully blended the history and prestige of a national Open with a unique pro-am experience that is a drawcard for professionals and amateur players from throughout the region. It’s an event that the Asian Tour is proud to have on our tour calendar and one our players are always eager to be a part of.”
Nick Dastey, Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia’s General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships, echoed the Asian Tour sentiments saying the New Zealand Open is raising the benchmark for Pro-Am tournaments globally. “The New Zealand Open delivers a top-tier playing experience for both the professional and pro-am players. We have seen huge growth in people from Australia visiting New Zealand and in particular the Queenstown region throughout the year on golfing holidays with the stunning pictures from the broadcast whetting their appetite and marking New Zealand as a must visit golfing and holiday destination.”
Building on this momentum, Brian Howie, Director of Operations at Millbrook Resort, reaffirmed the venue’s commitment to the tournament’s future: “We’re thrilled to announce Millbrook Resort’s continued relationship with Golf New Zealand to host the New Zealand Open through to 2032. This long-term commitment reflects our belief in the value that the New Zealand Open brings to Queenstown and New Zealand as a whole.”
With its mix of elite sport, international exposure and economic impact, the New Zealand Open continues to go from strength to strength.
The 105th New Zealand Open will be played at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown between 26 February and 1 March 2026.
