26 Jan 2011

RWC ticket sales have some way to go

1:14 pm on 26 January 2011

Rugby World Cup organisers still have to sell $100 million worth of tickets for the tournament which starts in just over seven months.

Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden says total sales need to hit $268 million.

He says the ballot for the semi-final and final tickets will take place in a couple of weeks, which will help things along.

Mr Snedden says they will still be selling tickets during the tournament for some games, but overall, sales are going well.

He says Rugby New Zealand 2011 is expected to post a loss $39 million and he's confident that figure won't be exceeded.

Dunedin 'getting good return'

Dunedin, where the local council has baulked at spending more money on the event, is getting a good return on its investment, Mr Snedden said.

Dunedin City Council has rejected a $300,000 Rugby World Cup official fan zone proposed for the Octagon, saying ratepayers have already gone into unprecedented debt to build a new stadium.

Mr Snedden says ticket sales mean Dunedin will get between 10,000 and 15,000 international visitors which will bring a direct economic benefit during the tournament as well as a massive international media profile.

The tournament begins on 9 September and ends on 23 October.