The Leisure & Cultural Services Department has received the audited accounts of the recent Real Madrid soccer spectacular from the HK Football Association.

The total cost of organising the match was $34,931,015. Offset by the total proceeds of $34,108,349, there was a small deficit of $822,666, which will be met by the Government.

The amount is substantially smaller than the maximum financial guarantee of $10 million originally underwritten by the Government to allow the association to organise the event.

A preliminary comparison with the initial budget submitted by the association showed that receipts from ticket sales and sponsorship were higher than estimated while some expenditure items were lower than the original forecast. The sanction fee was also waived. 

The department said with the wide range of benefits and extensive mileage that Hong Kong had gained from staging the event, the moderate financial support provided by the Government was considered money well spent.

While the match was well received overseas, it got the highest TV rating ever registered locally, with over 3.2 million viewers.

The event helped boost local consumption and tourism, and stimulated public interest in football.

A Home Affairs Bureau opinion poll conducted after the match showed that over 90% of respondents supported the organising of similar major events to strengthen the economy, enhance our international image, boost tourism and drive community participation.