Costumes come out on a sunny day at the Wellingtion Sevens.

Wellington Sevens backers will be meeting soon to determine whether the event has a future in the city.

This year's sevens, which ended on Sunday night with a remarkable last-gasp victory to New Zealand, marked the end of Wellington's contract to host a leg of the international rugby tournament.

Wellington City Council and New Zealand Rugby plan to meet once the final figures are in to review how the event fared, as they decide whether to put up funding to renew the contract and, if so, for how long.

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They will look at factors such as hotel bookings numbers, tourist dollars spent, and police and health authorities' views before determining the next steps.

About 14,000 people turned up to Westpac Stadium on Saturday, and 15,500 on Sunday, in a ground with a capacity of 34,500.

But although the stands were not full, hotels were packed, the crowds as colourful as ever, and the rugby a thrill, organisers and fans said.

CAMERON BURNELL/ FAIRFAX NZ Although crowd numbers were done, the crowds as colourful as ever.

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown said the weekend's event had been "excellent", and she judged the increased family focus a success.

Organisers had tried to boost crowd numbers by moving the event to earlier in the year, offering cut-price tickets and incentives for families to bring children, she said.

But compared to the popularity of other events held in the capital recently, such as Elton John's concert, the sevens' declining crowds had been noted, Wade-Brown said.

CAMERON BURNELL/ FAIRFAX NZ A Fiji fan cheers on his team, who were beaten in the semifinals.

Exactly how much funding the council put towards the sevens could not be revealed as it was commercially sensitive, she said. But at its peak, it brought in $15 million in economic benefits to Wellington.

By comparison, the New Zealand Festival brought in an estimated $35m, World of WearableArt $24m, the Edinburgh Tattoo $16m, and major international rugby matches between $6m and $8m, she said.

"Yes, we like the sevens, we want it to be a success. But we have got a pretty full events calendar."

CAMERON BURNELL/ FAIRFAX NZ The Brass Bandits brass band.

New Zealand Rugby said on Sunday night it would conduct a comprehensive review of the event, and make a decision on the future New Zealand at the end of March.



"The 2016 Wellington Sevens was a great success on many fronts," chief executive Steve Tew said. "Operationally, it couldn't have been better for the teams, the action on the field was excellent, and those who attended will have had a great time.



"While we would always like to have a full stadium, the decision on next year's host city is based on more than crowd attendance.



"Over the next month or so we'll consider all aspects of hosting the tournament in Wellington, including the great support we've received from the council and the track record in the capital over more than a decade."





Hospitality NZ Wellington president Jeremy Smith said hotel bookings were strong over the sevens weekend, but spending at the city's bars was not as great as hoped.

"This year is disappointing, there's no question about it – disappointing in terms of the number of people. But I'd be hard put to just shrug my shoulders and say we've had the best years."

He would like to see the sevens get a contract to stay in Wellington for another two years. He said he was disappointed at the lack of local corporate investment, saying fewer businesses were booking sevens tickets for their staff.

Westpac Stadium chief executive Shane Harmon said this year's sevens had a new feel, and the good weather had lent it a cheerful spirit.

Only six people were arrested over the two days, and he said the event was moving in the direction of Big Bash cricket in Australia, which had a family focus.

"There have been a lot changes to the event, and in my view they are very good changes. I think this year, operationally, is the best year we have had."

However, he was unsure if the event would stay in the capital. "I don't know if it will. That has ultimately got to be a decision made between New Zealand Rugby and the Wellington City Council."

"I am philosophical enough to realise it may go somewhere else. Clearly we would like more numbers than we have at the moment, but I also feel the event has turned a corner.

"Even if it doesn't stay in Wellington, it will not be able to return to the event it used to be.

"I would love to see it stay, but then you have to weigh up how many people go and whether it is good for Wellington."

Fan Gary Brown, who has attended the sevens since 2001, said it was still a great event, despite the low crowd numbers.

This year there were more rugby fans than just people coming for the fun: "It's great to have the rugby lovers here."