SM
Man United vs. Bodo/Glimt: 18 hrs 9 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Rugby World Cup opener hit by ticket sales slump

:Headline: Rugby World Cup opener hit by ticket sales slump: ID:3168: from db_amp
Lack of sell-out for RWC opener blamed on financial crisis and Christchurch earthquake.

Organisers of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand have blamed a variety of factors for the fact that the opening game between the All Blacks and Tonga is still not sold out.

The match will kick off the tournament later today (Friday) after an opening ceremony, but there still may be empty seats in Eden Park.

Tournament officials have blamed the Christchurch earthquake and the global financial crisis for the disappointing sales.

"[The financial crisis] has probably added to the challenge of it," said RWC chief executive Martin Snedden. "You couple that with what happened in Christchurch with the earthquake and the effect that had on all out arrangements - it’s pretty significant.

"But we’ve made our adjustments as we’ve gone along and we’re pretty happy with the way we’re sitting now."

Some commentators, however, have said that high ticket prices mean that most fans can’t afford the seats, with remaining tickets for the opening clash priced at $460 (£240) apiece.

New Zealand stand to make $153m (£80m) from the tournament, which the International Rugby Board says will be reinvested into the sport.

amp_article__3168 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2011-09-09 08:54:21:
html db last update - 2011-09-09 08:54:21 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Martin Snedden

Click here for more stories about New Zealand

Share this article now:
Read more about Martin Snedden Rugby Union
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .