Organisers are bracing themselves for having to disappoint thousands of rugby fans despite nearly a million tickets being purchased for next year’s World Cup in England during last month’s general sale.
Total ticket applications were more than five million, a higher level of demand than for any of the previous seven Rugby World Cup tournaments.
There were more than 650,000 applications alone for England’s key pool clash against Australia at Twickenham — meaning the match at the 82,000 capacity venues could have been sold out more than seven times — with 500,000 for the World Cup final at the London ground in October next year.
The September sale saw 950,000 tickets purchased during an 18-day period and 23 out of the 48 tournament games went to a ballot at every price category.
Supporters who did not receive tickets in the ballots will receive priority when the second public sale takes place in November.
Other matches where there was high demand were the fixtures between England and Wales and Australia and Wales — who are all in Pool A, the 2015 World Cup’s toughest group where at least one of the sport’s established powers will be eliminated before the knockout phase.
The Pool C clash between defending champions New Zealand and Argentina, as well as both semi-finals, were also in demand.
England Rugby 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans said: “We are thrilled with demand for tickets a year out from the tournament, and the record level of demand we saw in September is a terrific indicator of the general interest and excitement for Rugby World Cup 2015.
“The only downside of such strong demand is that there will inevitably be some disappointment when rugby fans are notified of the results of their applications on Saturday,” she added.
“We would like to thank everyone who applied for tickets, and anyone who missed out on tickets this time will get first priority when the remaining tickets go back on sale next month.”
International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset added: “We are delighted with the incredible demand for tickets across the tournament from fans in the UK and around the world.
“Rugby World Cup is all about the fans and the players, and today’s announcement reinforces our belief that Rugby World Cup 2015 will be a very special record-breaking celebration of rugby and the host nation. It really is too big to miss,” the Frenchman said as he echoed the slogan of England 2015.
In addition to the 950,000 tickets sold in September sale, 340,000 tickets were sold by England Rugby 2015 to fans through rugby clubs in England and Wales as part of a community programme.
Source : Sapa-AFP /od
