Over 1m Fans Attend Rwc Pool Matches

Tournament organisers have announced that nearly 1.1 million fans passed through the gates of Rugby World Cup 2011 stadia for the 40 Pool matches of Rugby’s showcase event over the last few weeks.

The official attendance stands at 1.07 million after the final eight matches of the Pool phase were completed over the weekend.

Nearly a quarter of a million fans alone attended the weekend’s matches – which included four sell outs.

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) chairman Bernard Lapasset said that the strong attendance across all of the venues is testament to the way that New Zealanders across the country have backed the Tournament and all the participating teams.

‘The way that New Zealanders the length and breadth of the country have embraced the Tournament has been absolutely incredible,’ said Lapasset.

‘The atmosphere around the venues and host cities with New Zealanders and travelling international fans combining to give such vocal, passionate and colourful support to all of the teams will be an enduring memory for everyone who has experienced Rugby World Cup 2011’.

‘The scene is now set for four compelling quarter-finals’.

Martin Snedden, CEO of Tournament Organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011, added: ‘That’s an incredible turnout – equivalent to filling Eden Park around 18 times’.

‘We are thrilled that so many fans in New Zealand have taken the chance to get a taste of the fun and excitement of RWC 2011 action. Games have been full of great colour and passion from fans both local and overseas and that has added a fantastic flavour to every match’.

‘We promised a unique experience as our Stadium of Four Million fans warmly embraced the teams and their supporters and that’s exactly what happened’.

RNZ 2011 also announced that the momentum in ticket sales has continued with 1.34 million tickets now sold.

‘This is an excellent place to be with eight major matches of the Tournament yet to be completed’.

Tickets are still available for seven of the remaining eight matches and can be purchased online at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets and at selected Ticketek outlets. 

Ireland play Wales in the first quarter-final in Wellington on Saturday, followed by France against England at Eden Park.

On Sunday, South Africa play Australia in Wellington and New Zealand take on Argentina in the last quarter-final at Eden Park.

There is good availability across most categories for the Auckland quarter-finals with around 16,000 tickets available for the England v France match and 10,000 for the New Zealand v Argentina match.

Tickets are more limited for the Wellington quarter-finals with under 4,500 remaining for the first match and under 5,000 for the second.