Hot demand sees extra RWC in Hamilton (30 March 2011)

Hot demand for tickets to Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) matches in Hamilton has seen an extra 1100 temporary seats approved for Waikato Stadium, resulting in the highest capacity crowds there since the stadium was redeveloped in 2002.

RWC 2011 ticket sales have been exceptionally strong in Hamilton. 88% of the 56,000 tickets available in the public pool had already been sold when Waikato Stadium staff sought resource consent to build an extra 1100 seats to meet the strong demand from enthusiastic Rugby fans.

For future matches, the seating increase also enables Waikato Stadium’s temporary stand to grow from 5,000 seats to 6,100 seats increasing the Stadium’s total capacity from 25,800 to around 31,900.

Waikato Stadium originally opened in 1925 as Rugby Park with a single 60 foot long stand.

Hamilton’s Rugby World Cup 2011 ambassador Peter Bos said it was a fantastic result.

“We know we have one of the best – if not the best – rugby viewing stadiums in the country and these stunning ticket sales figures show that Hamilton has developed the reputation as a fantastic place to come and watch rugby. We are very much looking forward to hosting visitors in Hamilton.”

RWC 2011 ticket sales have currently paused while Tournament Organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011 begins the process of allocating seats and sending out over 900,000 tickets which have been sold to date across the country.

The final sales period begins in July when all remaining tickets will be made available. Fans can find out more and sign up for ticket alerts at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets