Rugby World Cup 2011 hits new milestone
26 Apr 2010
Rugby World Cup 2011 hits a significant milestone in New Zealand today (27.04.2010) as the count down reaches 500-days-to-go until kick-off, and ticket sales go global.
Hospitality packages have been on sale since February, but today’s release means that the general public can now apply online to buy ticket packages for specified matches and venues during the six-week event.
With high-end hospitality and tour packages selling well internationally and huge public pre-registration interest, New Zealand’s RWC 2011 organisers are expecting strong sales.
Worldwide, more than 85,000 tickets have already been snapped up through official travel packages - exceeding the total number of tickets sold for RWC 2003. England has reported sales 37% up on those over the same period for RWC 2007.
In Auckland, rugby organisers report that most of the 44 Eden Park hospitality lounges are already booked.
RWC 2011 ticket information
Nearly 700,000 page views have been registered on the ticket information section of the tournament’s official website as fans check out details ahead of the online application process.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said this was a fantastic response and showed how popular Rugby World Cup had become around the world.
"This is the day that fans from London to Pretoria, from Moscow to Buenos Aires, from right around the world, can look forward to turning their Rugby World Cup dreams into fantastic memories," Snedden said.
"Today, we are asking rugby fans to come to New Zealand to experience the best rugby, our unique culture and natural heritage and enjoy our great Kiwi hospitality.
To mark the occasion, rugby’s greatest prize - the Webb Ellis Cup - is on display today at Wellington Railway Station where rugby fans will have the chance to have their photo taken beside the cup.
Six-week festival
Meanwhile Rugby World Cup 2011 activity is building throughout New Zealand.
Rugby World Cup - one of the world’s biggest sports events and the largest event New Zealand has ever hosted - is expected to bring 60,000 to 85,000 visitors, including thousands of ex-pat Kiwis into the country for the event.
More than 23 host towns and venues throughout New Zealand are preparing for the event with major public works, development of infrastructure and new accommodation, and organising hundreds of festival events.
A six-week festival surrounding the main sporting event is designed to showcase New Zealand’s culture, food, wine, landscapes and many other attractions to rugby fans.
The first festival events and attractions have been posted online at www.nz2011.govt.nz, and an official festival launch is planned for September 2010.
Three cruise ships - Rhapsody of the Seas, Volendam, and Pacific Dawn - will berth at the three major venues for the 2011 Rugby World Cup providing extra accommodation close to rugby venues. The ships will also visit other tourist regions including the Marlborough Sounds, Hawke’s Bay, Bay of Plenty, and the Bay of Islands.
Online applications
Applications open online at 9am New Zealand time today, and close on 21 May.
More than 50,000 fans from over 100 countries have pre-registered to apply for venue and team pool packs for the tournament.
Outside of New Zealand, most fans come from the UK, Australia, Ireland, France, USA, South Africa and Canada but other countries registered include Barbados, Botswana, China, Colombia, Egypt, Estonia, Iceland, Mongolia, Mauritius, Norway, Puerto Rico and Qatar.
Pre-registration is not necessary, but was encouraged to save fans time during the application process.
More information:
Rugby World Cup 2011 centres on the ball
New Zealand-wide rugby festival revealed
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