12 Apr 2010, Posted by Kiwi Admin in Home-Bottom,News, 0 Comments

Ticket sales to Rugby World Cup 2011

Countdown begins for ticket sales to Rugby World Cup 2011

• Rugby World Cup 2011 ticket sales process unveiled

• Applications for Venue and Team Pool Packs open Tuesday, April 27

• Approx. 750,000 tickets available in Phase 1

Read the PDF here: https://www.box.net/shared/qg45nsnof6

Rugby fans around the world can mark an important date in their calendar – applications for tickets to Rugby’s showpiece Tournament open on Tuesday, April 27, 2010. The date, which also marks 500 days until the start of the Tournament, was confirmed at the official launch of ticket sales for Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) in Auckland this afternoon.

Tournament Organiser, Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011) unveiled its ticketing policy for the seventh Rugby World Cup which will feature three sales phases, beginning with applications for Venue Pool Packs (tickets for all pool matches at a chosen venue) and Team Pool Packs (tickets for all pool matches for a chosen team).

“This is the day that answers that question that New Zealanders have been asking since we won the rights to host RWC 2011 back in 2005; how do I get a ticket?” said Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011) CEO Martin Snedden.

“This is the day that fans from London to Pretoria, from Moscow to Buenos Aries, from right around the world, can look forward to turning their Rugby World Cup dreams into fantastic memories.

“Today, we are asking Rugby fans to come to New Zealand to experience the best Rugby, our unique culture and natural heritage and enjoy our great Kiwi hospitality.

“To New Zealanders, we say ‘You gotta be there’ for this to be a truly memorable event.”

Three ticket sales phases

In Phase 1 750,000 tickets will be released through Venue Pool Packs and Team Pool Packs. Fans who apply will also have the option of adding a Quarter-final Weekend Pack in Wellington or Christchurch and/or Tickets to the Bronze Final to their application. Applications close on Friday, May 21.

The second phase will see individual tickets for all matches except the semi-finals and the Final released. This is expected to occur in August or September.

The third phase will feature a ballot system for tickets to the semi-finals and the Final. Applicants from the first two phases will receive one entry into the ballots for each ticket applied for in earlier phases.

Any remaining tickets will go on general sale in 2011.

“A range of Venue and Team Pool Pack prices and the spread of matches to 13 venues across the country from Whangarei to Invercargill aim to encourage as many fans as possible to get a taste of Rugby World Cup excitement in line with our ‘Stadium of Four Million’ philosophy,” said Martin Snedden.

“We are also introducing a payment plan to help New Zealand fans pay off their packs in monthly installments over six months.”

An administration fee of $25 applies for this service.

New Zealand Rugby Community

A key feature from both RWC 2003 and RWC 2007 was dedicated offers to the local Rugby Communities and RWC 2011 is no exception.

“Members of the New Zealand Rugby Community are the heart and soul of the Game and their loyalty and support deserves to be recognised,” said Martin Snedden. One-third of the publicly available ticketing quota for Phase 1 has been set aside for the local Rugby Community and applications open a week earlier on April 19.

Another Tournament milestone

“This is an important milestone for Rugby World Cup 2011,” said International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset at today’s launch. “The global Rugby family has been eagerly looking forward to this day. Now they can start planning in earnest to come to a country whose proud Rugby heritage will give them a unique sporting experience and whose people will be excellent hosts for one of the world’s premier sporting events.”

Nationwide Festival

At today’s launch Prime Minister John Key unveiled the first events which will form part of the nationwide Festival which will be wrapped around the 45 day Tournament.

“During RWC 2011 New Zealand will be in celebration mode, with a nationwide festival that showcases the best of New Zealand’s people, food and wine, cultures and landscapes,” said Mr Key.

“The festival will engage locals and visitors alike, giving New Zealanders a chance to discover more about their country and enriching the New Zealand experience for visitors. I encourage every region of New Zealand to make the most of this opportunity to showcase ourselves to the world, and to have a great time while we do it.”

The first festival events and attractions have been posted on the website www.nz2011.govt.nz, and the programme will continue to grow to an expected 1000 events around the country. An official festival launch is planned for September 2010.

RWC 2011 and beyond

“This will be an event that will be magical for fans and bring tremendous benefits to New Zealand,” said Martin Snedden. “It’s expected to pump more than NZD$500m into the economy, attract more than 60,000 visitors and leave a valuable legacy including world class stadia, transport improvements and a workforce skilled at providing top service at major events.

“In addition, RWC 2011 will be watched by a cumulative television audience of four billion, providing a priceless opportunity to showcase New Zealand to the world.

Preparations on track

“Nearly five years after New Zealand won the right to host RWC 2011, the stage is set for a wonderful Tournament. Our planning is well advanced; stadia across the country are being readied, Eden Park’s redevelopment is on track and on budget and Stadium Christchurch is complete.

“Significant transport improvements are being made in key cities such as Auckland and cities are readying to welcome visitors through Fan Zones and Festival events.

“We are in great shape to put on a Tournament that New Zealand will be proud of.“

The full media guide to RWC 2011 tickets can be found at www.rugbyworld.com/tickets

The Venue and Team Pool Pack television commercial will be available from 3pm, Tuesday, March 30 at www.youtube.com/rugbyworldcup

About Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011): RNZ 2011 was established in June 2006, following the selection of the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) as the Host Union for RWC 2011 by the IRB Council in November 2005. It is the organisation responsible for the planning and delivery of RWC 2011 in New Zealand on behalf of its shareholders, the NZRU and the New Zealand Government.

About IRB Rugby World Cup: IRB Rugby World Cup is the third largest sports event in the world. The inaugural Tournament took place in 1987 and it is held every four years. In 2007 the sixth Tournament was held in France and enjoyed a cumulative worldwide broadcast audience of more than four billion.

For the latest on RWC 2011 visit www.rugbyworldcup.com.

For further information please contact:

Mike Jaspers

Communications Manager

RNZ 2011

M: 027 677 8875

W: 04 816 1252

E: media@rugbynz2011.com

Phase 3: Semi-finals and Final Ballots

(Nov 2010 TBC)

Phase 2: Individual Applications

(Aug/Sept 2010 TBC)

Phase 1: Venue and Team Pool Pack Applications

(Apr 27, 2010)

RWC 2011 Tickets: Quick Facts

Following the launch of Official Travel and Hospitality Packages early in 2010 and priority access offers to certain customer groups such as Venue and Season Members, tickets for RWC 2011 will go on sale to the global public in three phases starting on Tuesday April 27, 2010.

Individual tickets for all matches except the semi-finals and the Final will be released in Phase 2. This is expected to occur in either August or September 2010.

Fans who apply for tickets in Phase 1 or Phase 2 may elect to enter the ballots for the option to purchase tickets for the semi-finals and/or the Final. Fans will receive one entry into the ballot for each ticket applied for during Phase 1 or Phase 2.

Fans may apply for a Venue Pool Pack or a Team Pool Pack which comprises one ticket to each of their chosen Venue or Team’s pool matches. Fans who apply for a Venue Pool Pack or Team Pool Pack will also have the option of adding a Quarter-final Weekend Pack and/or Tickets to the Bronze Final to their application.

Number of tickets

• The gross capacity for RWC 2011 is around 1.75 million tickets with around 1.65 million available for sale.

• Approx. 750,000 tickets are being made available in Phase 1. All up, more than a million tickets will be available to the global public out of 1.65 million in total.

• The Tournament owner, Rugby World Cup Ltd, has the ability to purchase up to 50% of tickets across the tournament, although many of these have already been released back for public sale.

Rugby Community

• The New Zealand Rugby Community – players, supporters, officials, volunteers – receive one-third of the publicly available quota in the first phase reflecting their support for the Game. Applications open April 19 and will be processed first.

Ticket limits

• Individuals may apply for any Venue and/or Team Pool Pack up to a limit of four packs per venue and team. Fans who apply for a Venue Pool Pack or Team Pool Pack will also have the option of adding up to four Quarter-final Weekend Packs for Wellington or Christchurch and/or four tickets to the Bronze Final to their application.

Payment plan

• A payment plan is available to New Zealand fans allowing packs to be paid off in monthly installments over six months. An administration fee of NZD$25 applies for this service.

MasterCard

• RWC 2011 prefers MasterCard. Using a MasterCard to apply for RWC 2011 Pool Packs will earn double entries into the ballots for tickets to the semi-finals and Final. Other credit, prepaid and debit cards will be accepted. A special Rugby World Cup 2011 MasterCard Prepaid card has also been launched today to commemorate the event. The RWC 2011 MasterCard ANZ Prepaid Card is launched in collaboration with ANZ Bank in New Zealand and will provide all Rugby fans with access to a range of privileges when visiting New Zealand for RWC 2011.

New Zealand Team Pool Pack

• It is expected that Team Pool Packs will be limited to around two to three thousand for each team including New Zealand. Given the expected strong demand for New Zealand Team Pool Packs, we encourage fans to apply for Venue Packs at Eden Park, Waikato Stadium or Wellington Regional Stadium for a chance to see New Zealand in action.

Official Ticket Guide

• 1.3 million copies of the Official Ticket Guide will be delivered to households in April.

Apply online

• RNZ 2011 is encouraging fans to apply online. Fans who apply online at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets will go into the draw for two tickets to the Final.

Any remaining tickets will go on general sale in 2011.

RWC 2011 Tickets – FAQs

When can the public buy tickets?

The first public sales phase will begin on April 27, 2010 when Venue and Team Pool Packs will be made available to the global public via an application process. Phase 1 applications must be received by 5pm (NZST) on Friday May 21, 2010.

Packs (including Quarter-final Weekend Packs) and Bronze Final tickets available in Phase 1 are limited per match, per venue and are therefore subject to availability and are not guaranteed.

The second public Sales Phase is expected to begin in August or September 2010 when individual tickets will be released. In Phase 2, fans will be able to apply for individual match tickets for all matches except the semi-finals and the Final. Further details regarding Phase 2 will be published in due course.

In cases where demand for packs or tickets in Phase 1 or Phase 2 exceeds availability, applications will be selected at random to ensure fair access for all applicants.

How do people buy tickets?

During Phase 1 and Phase 2, tickets may only be purchased via application at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets or via an application form contained in the Official Ticket Guide. Completed applications must be submitted before the closing date of the relevant Sales Phase.

In the week beginning April 19, 2010 the Official Ticket Guide (including the application form) will be distributed to more than 1.3 million homes throughout New Zealand.

Phase 1 will open on April 27, 2010. In Phase 1, individuals may apply for Venue and Team Pool Packs (maximum of four per venue and team).

If a fan applies for a Pool Pack in Phase 1, they may also add to their application up to four Quarter-final Weekend Packs for Wellington and/or Christchurch and/or up to four Bronze Final tickets. Fans may only apply for Quarter-final Weekend Packs or Bronze Final tickets if they have first applied for a Venue or Team Pool Pack.

Fans who apply for packs/tickets may elect to enter a ballot for the option to purchase tickets for the semi-finals and/or the Final. Fans will receive one entry into each ballot selected for each ticket applied for or two entries into each ballot for each ticket applied for using a MasterCard®. Packs and tickets will be limited per match, per venue and will therefore be subject to availability. In cases where demand for packs or tickets exceeds availability, ticket applications will be selected at random to ensure fair access for all applicants.

Applications for Phase 1 close at 5pm (NZST) Friday May 21, 2010.

Who can purchase tickets during Phase 1?

Phase 1 is open to both New Zealand and international fans however tickets are only available to individuals, as RWC 2011 tickets may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes.

Applicants need to be at least 18 years old to apply for tickets. An application can include tickets for family members or friends who are under 18 years old.

How many packs can a fan apply for?

Fans may apply for a maximum of four pool packs for each venue and team (regardless of the number of applications submitted). If a fan applies for a Pool Pack in Phase 1, they may also add to their application up to four Quarter-final Weekend Packs for Wellington and/or Christchurch and/or up to four Bronze Final tickets.

When will Individual tickets go on sale?

The second public sales Phase is expected to begin in August or September 2010.

In Phase 2, match tickets will be made available for all matches except the semi-finals and the Final.

Further details regarding Phase 2 will be published in due course.

How many tickets will be available to the public?

General information on ticket numbers can be found in the RWC 2011 Ticket Sales Media Guide at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets

Tournament Organiser RNZ 2011 will have more than one million tickets to sell from the 1.65 million tickets available for sale, with approximately 750,000 available for Phase 1.

RNZ 2011 is contractually obliged to make tickets available to certain groups. The largest of these groups is Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL), the owners of the Tournament, who will cater for overseas national Unions, media, commercial partners as well as the Official RWC 2011 Travel and Hospitality Programme. Ticket purchase options were also available to a number of Venue Members and Box Holders as well as Provincial Union Season Members. Any tickets not required by these groups will be released back at various stages of the sales process. In addition, RNZ 2011 will retain some tickets for operational and contingency purposes.

How do people buy tickets for the semi-finals or the Final?

Fans may secure their tickets to the semi-finals or the Final by purchasing an Official Travel Package from Official Travel Agents (OTAs) or an Official Hospitality Package from Official Corporate Hospitality Agents (OCHAs).

The Official RWC 2011 Travel and Hospitality Programme is managed by Rugby Travel & Hospitality (NZ) Ltd (RTH). RTH has appointed OTAs and OCHAs to sell these packages. For more information please visit www.rth2011.com

Alternatively, fans who apply for packs/tickets in this Phase may elect to enter a ballot for the option to purchase tickets for the semi-finals and/or the Final. Each ticket applied for will earn one entry into the ballot. Two entries into each ballot selected will be received for each ticket applied for using a MasterCard®.

Entries will be drawn at random. Following the ballot, successful fans will be advised of their ticket offer and provided with a timeframe within which to accept the offer and complete the ticket purchase.

Further information will be published in late 2010.

Why aren’t Team Pool Packs offered in every category?

Not all venues offer each Price Category. Although RWC 2011 Ticketing has endeavoured to ensure that fans have a selection of price categories to choose from, not all packs will be available in all price categories.

Team Pool Packs offered in Category D/GA consist of one ticket to each pool match played by the relevant team at the lowest price category available at that venue.

Please note GA refers to General Admission tickets which are for standing positions on either terraces or grass embankments.

When will fans know where they will be sitting?

Processing of applications and allocation of tickets does not guarantee any specific seat location, only a price category. Price categories may be viewed using the maps within the Venue Information link on the home venue page.

Seating allocations will take place between March 2011 and late May 2011 unless otherwise advised by RWC 2011.

Tickets will be dispatched or made available for collection in May 2011.

Will there be children’s tickets?

Concession prices for children aged 16 or under as at September 1, 2011 will be available within Category D and the GA Price Categories for all pool matches and the Bronze Final, if available at the venue. Children’s tickets are only available for Venue Pool Packs.

Children’s tickets will not be available for the quarter-finals, semi-finals or the Final.

Infants two years or under as at September 1, 2011 who are able to be carried will not be charged but must sit on an adults knee and not take an additional seat.

What happens if applications for packs/tickets exceed the number available?

In cases where demand for packs or matches in Phase 1 or Phase 2 exceeds availability, ticket orders will be selected at random to ensure fair access for all applicants. Applicants are not guaranteed the packs or tickets they apply for.

What is the RWC 2011 Payment Plan?

New Zealand based fans may elect to use the RWC 2011 Payment Plan to pay for packs obtained in this phase via installments over six months.

A non-refundable administration fee of NZD $25 will be payable for this service. The first of six installments (plus the administration fee of NZD $25) will be charged to a card between March 26 and April 16 2010 and each subsequent installment will be charged on the same day of the month thereafter for the remaining five months.

What tickets will be available for Dunedin matches?

The Dunedin venue is still to be confirmed. The new Otago Stadium is currently under construction and is likely to be ready in time for RWC 2011. Alternatively, Carisbrook Stadium will host the city’s matches. If fans purchase a Dunedin Venue Pool Pack, it will be valid for whichever Dunedin venue is used.

Can fans sell or transfer tickets?

Tickets are non-transferable except as set out in the RWC 2011 Ticket General Terms and Conditions.

Ticket purchasers may transfer a RWC 2011 ticket to a person known to them personally, provided that the transfer is not for a value greater than the original sale price of that ticket and the ticket is for the transferee’s personal use only.

Tickets must not be offered for sale publicly (including on any website) nor can tickets be transferred in the course of any business or for the purpose of facilitating any third party’s business.

Any ticket(s) offered for sale, sold or transferred in contravention of the RWC 2011 General Ticket Terms & Conditions may be cancelled, and any person seeking to use those tickets may be refused admission to or evicted from a venue without refund or compensation.

RWC 2011 is declared as a “major event” under the New Zealand Major Events Management Act 2007 (MEMA). The unauthorised sale or trade of a RWC 2011 ticket for a value greater than the original sale price of that ticket is an offence under the MEMA punishable at law by a serious fine.

Can tickets be used in a business promotion or as a prize in a competition?

No. RWC 2011 tickets cannot be transferred or used in relation to any promotional or commercial purpose (including any competition, advertising, promotion, auction or as a prize in any competition or sweepstake, whether for a business, charity or otherwise) or to enhance the demand for any goods or services. Nor can tickets be transferred, used or incorporated as part any hospitality or travel package or bundled with any goods or services (including as part of any hospitality or travel package). RWCL may authorise its Commercial Partners to use tickets for promotions.

Please see the RWC 2011 Ticket General Terms & Conditions for full details.

How long will it take to process applications?

The processing time for each application will vary. Confirmation of the Phase 1 pack allocation will be issued on or before June 30, 2010.

How will fans know if their ticket application has been successful?

Notification of the outcome of Phase 1 applications will be issued on or before June 30, 2010.

What is the advantage to paying with a MasterCard®?

Fans who use a MasterCard® will be eligible for double entries into the semi-final and Final ballots. This means that for every ticket applied for, MasterCard® users will receive two entries into ballots for the opportunity to purchase semi-final and/or Final tickets when ballots are run in late 2010 or early 2011.