Toronto hoping to welcome 15,000 Super League fans in 2019
Toronto Wolfpack are 80 minutes away from reaching Super League at the first attempt – and have already set some targets for next season.
The ambitious transatlantic club joined the league ranks at the beginning of 2017 and dominated League 1 to earn a place in the Championship, where they also finished top, going on to win five of seven games in The Qualifiers, accruing the best ever points tally by a club in the Million Pound Game.
London Broncos visit Toronto on Sunday for the do-or-die clash with a place in Super League at stake.
Should they go up, Toronto are hoping that around 15,000 tourists will visit their home games in the top flight – compared to an estimated 3,000 this year and 1,000 in 2017.
Wolfpack co-owner David Argyle says they project an increase of UK arrivals at Toronto Pearson International airport by around 14% and hotel occupancy in the city by almost 2%, according to a report in The Canadian Press.
They are also aiming to host a tier one international match, possibly at BMO Field, which could bring another 10,000 visiting fans.
Argyle told The Canadian Press: “Now we’re giving them a real reason to come see this province, this country.
”And a lot of them have relatives they haven’t seen in decades. Now they have a reason to come and reunite.”
“And most importantly people will have a new destination to come for summer.
“And then they get to enjoy what I believe is the greatest city in the world. I’ve had the pleasure of living in a lot of places.
“Toronto is the best city in the world without a doubt, because of the people, the interest — everything is just fantastic. Especially in summer.”
Toronto have received much praise for their fan experience from home and visiting fans alike at the 9,600-capacity Lamport Stadium.
In previous years, they have funded all away teams travelling and accommodation expenses, though it is believed that won’t be the case if and when they reach Super League.
