The new Local Government Minister wants to know what went wrong, after the disappointing LA Galaxy exhibition match which will leave the Auckland Regional Council out of pocket.

For organisers to break even, 19,000 people were needed to attend Saturday night's game at Mt Smart Stadium between David Beckham's football team and the Oceania All Stars. However, the crowd numbered only 16,600 with many taking advantage of the two-tickets-for-one deal which was on offer when it was realised attendance would be lower than expected.

Minister Rodney Hide says if the Auckland Regional Council can afford to promote football matches, it is obviously swimming in cash. He says rates need to be brought under control and ratepayers need to be getting value for money.

The ARC has said ratepayers will not be affected and the loss will be offset by profitable events such as the upcoming Big Day Out and the Iron Maiden concert.

LA Galaxy won the match 3-0. Earlier this year, The Herald reported that the Galaxy's match fee was $1.71 million.