RUGBY WORLD CUP organisers are celebrating a job well done after strong ticket sales for this weekend’s final two games ensured that the tournament met its financial target.
Rugby New Zealand 2011, the steering committee set up by the New Zealand government in 2006, revealed today that over NZ$268m (€155m) worth of tickets had been sold across the tournament’s 48 games.
However the tournament was not a total-sell out, they confirmed, estimating that 13% of the available tickets had not been sold. Organisers were criticised for the high admission prices throughout the tournament, although standing tickets were available for some smaller games for as little as NZ$31 (€18).
Approximately 7,500 for tomorrow’s bronze final between Wales and Australia are still on sale, but the rabid home support have ensured that every one of Eden Park’s 60,000 seats have been snapped up for Sunday’s final between the All Blacks and France.
Top-tier tickets for Sunday’s showdown cost a whopping NZ$1278 (€788) at face value, while the cheapest seat in the house will set fans back back NZ$399 (€230).
“Sunday’s sold out Final alone has generated more than NZ$50 million [€29m] in revenue, twice that of the Lions’ Tour [in 2005],” RNZ 2011 Chairman Brian Roche said today.
“This is a tremendous achievement and one that all those who have contributed to the success of this Tournament across New Zealand should be proud of. It shows just how strongly New Zealanders have embraced RWC 2011 and that the decision to spread the Tournament around the country was the right one.
“Significantly, we have achieved this against the backdrop of a challenging economic environment and the tragic Christchurch earthquakes.”
Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully also paid tribute to a successful tournament.
“It has been a wonderful celebration of New Zealand and proof that this small country can successfully hold a large and complex event like a Rugby World Cup. We could not have wished for a better platform to promote ourselves to the world.”
