Rugby World Cup ticket revenue exceeds 11 times Lions Tour

Ticket revenue for Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) has reached a significant milestone, exceeding by 11 times the revenue of the previous largest grossing event in New Zealand history as the event closes in on its tournament end target.
Tournament organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011 has announced that revenue from ticket sales had reached NZ$265.6 million from ticket sales of 1.35 million.
The 2005 British and Irish Lions Tour grossed NZ$24 million.
RNZ 2011 Chief Executive Martin Snedden stated "we now need to make sales of just NZ$2.9 million to meet our financial target of NZ$268.5 million and we fully expect to do so with big crowds expected for the final four matches of the Tournament.
"The way New Zealanders have embraced this event has been fantastic and we are thrilled to be in this position given the challenges we have faced."
France play Wales in the first semi-final at Eden Park on tonight (Saturday) with New Zealand taking on Australia in the second semi-final on Sunday evening.
RNZ 2011 confirmed that 7,000 tickets across most categories are available for the first semi-final. Allocation for the second semi-final is currently exhausted, but a few hundred additional tickets are expected to be released later in the week.
RNZ 2011 General Manager Marketing and Communications Shane Harmon explained "now that the four semi-finalists have been confirmed we expect strong demand for remaining tickets over coming days.
"It's all or nothing for these teams so we urge fans to move fast to secure their place at what will be two nail biting encounters."
International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset added "we are set for a thrilling finale to Rugby World Cup 2011 with two compelling semi-finals set to take centre stage this weekend and a northern hemisphere versus southern hemisphere showdown guaranteed for the Final.
"It is always sad to see teams go home after the quarter-finals, but all four homeward teams can be proud of the role that they played in contributing to what were four superb matches.
"With the knock-out phase of Rugby World Cup 2011 now well and truly underway, attendance and atmosphere continue to be strong and I would like to thank New Zealanders for the outstanding support and passion for this Tournament."
Tickets for the France v Wales semi-final and the Bronze Final can be purchased online at selected Ticketek outlets and online at

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets