Expect to pay large for Rugby World Cup tickets

BY DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

The All Blacks' World Cup rematch with France will be the most expensive ticket at the 2011 tournament outside of the playoff matches as prices were announced varying from $15 to $1250.

Tournament organisers have kept to their promise to largely follow the pricing from the 2007 tournament in France although some tickets will be significantly cheaper and a few more expensive.

The ticketing structure also confirmed New Zealand's pool matches will all be played in the North Island.

The All Blacks will play Tonga in the tournament opener at Eden Park on September 9.

Next up will be Asia 1 (likely to be Japan) in Hamilton on September 16.

Then follow France at Eden Park on September 24 and Canada in Wellington on October 2.

Tickets to the French game will range from $60 for children through to $450 for a prime adult seat.

The same prices apply to the Tongan match because it involves the opening ceremony.

At the opening match in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, when New Zealand played Italy, fans paid $8 to watch from the Eden Park terraces - that's equivalent to $14.62 today, according to the Reserve Bank's inflation calculator.

Prices for the All Blacks other pool matches have tickets from $30 to $250.

Tickets to the final start at $390 and peak at $1250.

The top price for the final compares favourable to recent global sporting extravaganzas - $1105 for the 2007 RWC final, $1220 for this year's Bledisloe Cup in Japan, $1240 for soccer's Euro 2006 final and $1482 for next year's World Cup soccer final in South Africa.

The price range for matches being played in some of the provincial centres range form $15 to $70.

Tournament boss Martin Snedden believes he has delivered a fair package for a world class event being staged in New Zealand and is confident Kiwis will respond.

"We believe the ticketing policy will result in each match being played in front of full venues, showcasing New Zealand's love of rugby and its place as a host of major international events. It will be a wonderful festival of Rugby with an incredible atmosphere for 44 days throughout the whole country," he said.

He described the process of setting prices as a balancing exercise between achieving budgets and also making tickets affordable for as many New Zealanders as possible.

Ticket revenue is New Zealand's only source of incoming for operating the tournament which will be done at a considerable loss.

"We've been upfront that ticket prices for RWC 2007 in France would give fans a guide for 2011. Although tickets for knockouts and major pool matches are expensive by New Zealand standards, we have been able to price two-thirds of matches at or below existing test match prices.

"Many matches will be played during the day and we're keen to see as many families as possible enjoy the RWC 2011 experience.

"There will be at least one match at every venue which a family of four can enjoy for between $90 and $120 plus booking fees.

"We're conscious that ticket prices for some matches will be well beyond what Kiwis are used to paying, so we are introducing a payment plan that will allow those who pay for their tickets on a credit or debit card to be able to do so in installments."

Official travel packages will be launched on January 1 and the Hospitality Packages on February 1. Match tickets will go on sale globally in April 2010 over three separate sales phases.

Phase One will see tickets sold in packs. Fans can apply for a Venue Pool Pack for tickets to each pool match at their chosen venue or a Team Pool Pack for tickets to each of their chosen team's pool matches. Fans will also have the option of adding a quarter-final Weekend Pack and/or the Bronze Final to their application.

KEY PRICING HIGHLIGHTS

• Ticket prices are reflective of prices from RWC 2007.
• Ticket prices for the Final range from $390 to $1250. It is expected that there will be at least 10,000 seats in the lowest price category.
• Two-thirds of matches (32 out of 48) will be at or below current test match tickets prices with children's prices starting from between $15 and $33 depending on the match, up to a top adult ticket price of $70 to $150.
• 23 matches and seven venues (i.e. over half of RWC 2011 venues) don't have a single ticket over $100
• Children's priced tickets will be available within Category D and Category GA for all 40 pool matches and the Bronze Final.
• A family of four will be able to attend at least one RWC 2011 match in Invercargill, Rotorua, Whangarei, New Plymouth, Nelson, Palmerston North, Hamilton and Napier from $90. A family of four will be able to attend at least one RWC 2011 match at other venues from $120. Normal booking fees apply.
• A Payment Plan will be made available to fans which will enable them to pay for their tickets during Phase 1 in instalments. The Payment Plan will be considered for subsequent Phases.
• Use of a payment plan (for example, over 6 months) during Phase 1 would enable a fan to attend:
  - All 5 pool matches in Wellington from just $60 per month for an adult and $30 per child.
  - All 5 pool matches in Christchurch from just $51 per month for an adult and $26 per child.
  - All 5 pool matches at Eden Park from just $78 per month for an adult and $39 per child.
  - Booking fees apply.

- © Fairfax NZ News