Rugby World Cup 2011 Tickets on Sale from 27 April 2010

27 April, 2010 will represent another significant milestone for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand with the beginning of global ticket sales 500 days out from the tournament.

The first phase of sales will see applications open for ticket packages by Venue (tickets for all pool matches at a specific venue) and Team (tickets for all pool matches for a specific team) with over 750,000 tickets available to purchase globally.

This first release also includes a priority access period for the loyal Rugby family that week-in-week-out supports the game and the New Zealand Rugby community. This group will have access to around one third of available tickets during the first phase.

The second phase will see individual tickets released 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 final phase will enable fans who applied for tickets in phase one or two to elect 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.

"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," said Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset. "With anticipation building in New Zealand and within the global Rugby family, we know demand will be high. This ticketing programme has something for everyone and aims to encourage as many fans as possible to experience Rugby's showcase event. The ticketing programme is similar in structure to the one rolled out for RWC 2007, which was the most successful ticketing programme in the Tournament's history."

RNZ 2011 Chief Executive Officer Martin Snedden said that he expected New Zealanders to unite behind the tournament. "A range of Venue and Team Pool Pack prices and the spread of matches to 13 venues across the country from Whangarei to Invercargill aim to encourage as many fans as possible to get a taste of Rugby World Cup excitement in line with our 'Stadium of Four Million' philosophy," said Snedden. "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's expected to pump more than NZ$500m into the economy, attract more than 60,000 visitors and leave a valuable legacy including world class stadia, transport improvements and a workforce skilled in providing a high level of service at major events."

At the outset the price policy is designed around two main principles: classifying pool matches into price levels based on appeal, and grading seating into four different categories.

Some Key Price Statistics

Children's prices are available for all pool matches and the Bronze Final
Children can attend 28 pool matches for NZ$15-$20
20% of all tickets are NZ$50 (25 EURO) or lower
Two-thirds (32 out of 48) of all matches are at or below domestic test match prices
Prices for major pool matches and knockout matches are comparable with those from RWC 2007
500,000 tickets are available in the lowest price categories
10,000 tickets are available for the Final at NZ$390

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