Prime Minister John Key says next year's World Rugby Cup could deliver $1.25 billion for New Zealand.
Mr Key, speaking at Tuesday's launch in Auckland of tickets for the tournament, says the benefits were forecast in a report by accounting firm Deloitte.
The 1,650,000 tickets will be sold in three separate phases, with the first batch of 750,000 being sold for individual teams or venues during the pool phase.
The most expensive ticket package in the first phase will cost $1720, for five matches at Eden Park in Auckland.
Ticket packs will go on sale near the end of April this year, while individual ticket sales will start in about September.
Mr Key defended prices, saying the event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
He says with the exception of the semi-finals and final, ticket prices are consistent with the cost of attending a Test match.
Adult prices for most of the games range from $NZ130 to $480. For the semifinals and final, prices range from $290 to $1250.
The Prime Minister says he is confident people will pay those prices to be part of the experience.
Rugby New Zealand chief executive Martin Snedden says the ticket packs will include either a ticket for every match played at a particular venue, or for all of a particular team's pool matches at various venues, and it will be a matter of first in, first served.
The All Blacks play Tonga in the first match of the tournament at Eden Park in Auckland on 9 September 2011. The final will be played on 23 October at 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 $1400 for their four matches.
Two of their pool matches will be held at Eden Park with other matches in Hamilton and Wellington.
Fans who buy venue or team packs also have the option of purchasing quarter-final tickets and a ticket to the third and fourth playoff matches.
