Edinburgh's economy is expected to receive a £1.5m boost after the Scottish Touch Association (STA) was successful in its bid for the city to host the 2011 Touch World Cup.

Working in partnership with EventScotland and the City of Edinburgh Council, the seventh touch rugby tournament was awarded to the Scottish capital after the 2007 event in South Africa and will be the first to be staged in Europe. Around 1,700 athletes from 25 countries are expected to take part in the five-day tournament at Edinburgh's Peffermill Sports Ground between 22-26 June 2011, incorporating three open-age and six senior divisions.

Paul Bush, chief operating officer at EventScotland, said: "Touch is a rapidly growing sport in Scotland and it is estimated that more than 5,000 people now regularly play in organised competitions around the country. "We have already had entries from 107 teams from more than 20 countries, which translates into an influx of more than 1,700 players plus coaches and support staff to the city of Edinburgh; a number that will generate impressive bed nights and economic impact for Scotland next summer."