Global RWC 2011 ticket sales begin in April
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.
At the launch in Auckland today, the event organisers Rugby
New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Limited announced details of the ticketing
programme for the seventh Rugby World Cup. Under the call to arms
"You gotta be there", it will feature three different
phases during 2010 which will be predominately application based.
The exciting announcement means that the global Rugby family
will have unprecedented access to the world's third largest
sports event with over one million tickets available for public
sale via the official tournament website
www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEDIA PACK (PDF)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FAQs (PDF)
The first phase of sales, which kicks off next month, 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.
"Today's announcement of the official ticketing
programme is a significant milestone for Rugby World Cup 2011 and
of interest for supporters around the world. 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.
"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 and has led to
over GBP 300 million of investment in the Game globally in the last
decade. It has also been of great economic benefit to the host
nations in terms of revenue, international visitors and global
exposure."
"Some of the Game's greatest moments have occurred
at Rugby World Cups and I am sure this will continue to be the case
in the future, including 2011 in New Zealand."
"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 NZD$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."
"In addition, RWC 2011 will be watched by a cumulative
television audience of four billion, providing a priceless
opportunity to showcase New Zealand to the world," added
Snedden.
Affordability for the world's biggest sporting event in
2011
The overall success of the event depends largely on a policy
of reasonable pricing, which acknowledges the prestigious nature of
the event while keeping it affordable and accessible to the general
public.
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.
A large range of prices are available to suit all budgets. The
cheapest tickets are $15 NZD to encourage a broad range of people
to attend the venues and experience Rugby World Cup 2011.
More key ticketing information:
- Children's prices are available for all pool matches and the Bronze Final
- Children can attend 28 pool matches for $15-$20 NZD
- 20% of all tickets are $50 NZD (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 $390 NZD
New Zealand welcomes the world
At the launch New Zealand Prime Minister John Key unveiled
the first events to form part of the nationwide cultural Festival,
which will be wrapped around the 45-day Tournament, providing a
unique and memorable New Zealand welcome for New Zealanders and
international travellers.
"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,"
said Mr Key.
"The Festival will engage locals and visitors alike,
giving New Zealanders a chance to discover more about their country
and enriching the New Zealand experience for visitors. I encourage
every region of New Zealand to make the most of this opportunity to
showcase ourselves to the world, and to have a great time while we
do it."
The first Festival events and attractions have been posted on
the New Zealand government's dedicated Tournament website
www.nz2011.govt.nz, and the programme will continue to grow to an expected 1000
events around the country. An official Festival launch is planned
for September 2010.
Useful links
Quick facts (PDF)
FAQs (PDF)
Media Guide (PDF)
Television Commercial
