September 6th 2006 from official IRB world cup site
The International Rugby Board is pleased to announce that the France 2007 Organising Committee has sold the one millionth public ticket for Rugby World Cup 2007. The ticket was sold as part of a Saint Etienne city package to a rugby club member from the Loire region.
The achievement is a strong endorsement of the Committee’s ticket sales programme that to date has offered affordable city and team packages to the public worldwide via the Internet.
“One year from the kick-off of Rugby World Cup 2007 the International Rugby Board is confident the Tournament will be the most successful in its colourful and exciting 20-year history,” said IRB Chairman, Dr Syd Millar. “This belief is backed by the fact that one year out from the Tournament the Organising Committee has already sold its one millionth public ticket which is fantastic news.”
“Operational planning, venue logistics, and the commercial and ticketing programmes are all on target as the world of Rugby looks forward to September 7, 2007 when the host nation France plays Argentina at Stade de France, Paris in the opening match of the Tournament.”
”To mark the one year to go milestone the International Rugby Board, the French Rugby Federation, the France 2007 Organising Committee and representatives from the 12 cities and regions hosting matches gathered in Paris at the national rugby centre in Marcoussis to gauge progress and to set the required delivery timetables for the year ahead.”
”An exciting air of anticipation is starting to build in the world Rugby community. RWC 2007 in France will offer an irresistible mix of world class Rugby and the unique, colourful regional experiences that only France can offer. The teams and the substantial numbers of travelling supporters can look forward to world class venues and wonderful hospitality from the cities."
“It will be an event not to be missed and the IRB looks forward to welcoming rugby supporters from France and all over the world to Rugby World Cup 2007. And as the world governing body we are very pleased that the commercial programme being built around what is now one of the largest sports events in the world continues to expand each Tournament.
“The Rugby World Cup plays an important part in the development of world Rugby as it provides the financial platform for the global growth of the Game. In August last year the IRB announced a £30 million strategic investment programme designed to increase the competitiveness of the Game around the world with the financial success of RWC underwriting this unprecedented programme,” added Dr Millar.
Tickets on sale through the Internet The “Allez au Contact” ticket sales programme for RWC 2007 continues to be rolled out. Presently city and team packages are on sale via the internet at www.rugbyworldcup.com to Rugby supporters all around the world. This is the ideal opportunity to guarantee tickets to matches for the pool stages plus options on quarter final and semi final tickets. These packages are for tickets only and are free of travel and accommodation – a first in the history of RWC. A seperate sales programme is in place for those interested in purchasing travel and accommodation or hospitality with tickets. These ticket packages are managed by Rugby Travel and Hospitality '07 and full details can be viewed at www.rth07.com
The team packages (for the automatic qualifiers) relate to all pool matches played by a nominated team.
Team packages are available for the eight automatic qualifiers from RWC 2003: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. The packages (for all four team pool matches) start at £68 for Scotland, around £80 for Wales and Ireland, AUS$ 215 for Australia, ZAR 1186 for South Africa, NZ$ 260 for New Zealand, £90 for England and €160 for France.
A city package comprises all matches played at a particular venue such as Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux where a four match pool package can be purchased from just €53.
On November 9 the next phase of the ticket programme will be launched via the internet to Rugby supporters around the world – tickets to individual matches for the pool stages and depending on availability the quarter finals. Demand is expected to be very high for these tickets and full details on the process and availability will be published prior to the launch in early November. In March 2007 a ballot will then open for semi-final and final tickets. Supporters who have purchased pool match tickets will have a greater chance of procuring these highly sought after tickets.
The interest in tickets for Rugby World Cup 2007 is building significantly and supporters obtaining tickets from unofficial sources should be aware that they run the risk of having those tickets cancelled, being refused entry or being rejected from the stadium. Therefore rugby supporters should only purchase team and city ticket packages or travel and hospitality packages from official sources such as the official ticketing website or authorised travel and hospitality agents. For all questions related to the purchase of tickets go to www.rugbyworldcup.com.
