World Cup tickets on sale in April
Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:02
Fans intending to watch the 2011 World Cup 'live' will be able to purchase tickets on April 27, tournament organisers announced at a launch in Auckland on Tuesday.
This is 500 days ahead of the start of the tournament.
Under the call to arms "You gotta be there", ticket sales will feature three different phases during 2010 which will be predominately application based.
The aim of the event organisers, Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Ltd, is to have have unprecedented public access to the world's third largest sports event with 1.65 million tickets available for sale.
There will be three phases of ticket sales, beginning on April 27 with applications for venue (tickets for all pool matches at a specific venue) and team pool packs (tickets for all pool matches for a specific team) - with over 750,000 tickets available to purchase globally in this initial phase.
The New Zealand rugby community will have access to one-third of the available public ticket quota from the first public phase of ticket sales.
The second phase will see individual tickets on sale for every match except the semi-finals and final, which will be sold through a ballot system. This second phase is expected to commence in August or September 2010.
The third and final phase will enable fans who applied for tickets in phase one or two to opt to enter the ballot system for tickets to the semi-finals and the final. This process is expected to open in November 2010.
Any remaining tickets will go on general sale in 2011.
"Today's announcement of the official ticketing programme is a significant milestone for Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011 and of interest for supporters around the world," said Rugby World Cup Ltd chairman Bernard Lapasset.
"Rugby is enjoying continued success globally through its amazing diversity of tournaments and on April 27, rugby fans from Auckland to Adelaide, Cape Town to
Cardiff, Moscow to Milan and everywhere in between will be able to apply for Rugby World Cup tickets.
"Rugby World Cup represents the pinnacle of the game and each tournament has added a proud chapter in its history.
"Rugby World Cup is the prime revenue source for the IRB. It has also been of great economic benefit to the host nations in terms of revenue, international visitors and global exposure," said Lapasset.
RNZ 2011 Ltd chief executive Martin Snedden commented: "Nearly five years after New Zealand won the right to host RWC 2011, the stage is set for a wonderful Tournament. Our planning is well advanced, and this will be an event that will be magical for fans and bring tremendous benefits to New Zealand,"
It was also announced that a cover of Jesus Jones' hit "Right Here, Right Now", performed by Christchurch band, The Feelers, would be the official anthem of the 2011 RWC marketing campaign.
At the launch on Tuesday, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key commented: "During RWC 2011 New Zealand will be in celebration mode, with a nationwide Festival that showcases the best of New Zealand's people, food and wine, cultures and landscapes."
The most expensive ticket package in the first phase will cost NZ$1,720 (US$1,225) for the opening ceremony and five matches at Auckland's Eden Park.
The All Blacks, who have not won the World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987, have the most expensive team pack, costing NZ$1,400 (US$1,000) for their four pool matches.
Organisers said last year the most expensive ticket for the final would be about NZ$1,250 (US$890).
The least expensive adult option is the NZ$80 (US$57) it will cost to attend the two games in Palmerston North and Nelson.
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