World Cup tickets go on sale in April

Tickets for next year's rugby World Cup in New Zealand will go on sale on April 27, organisers said yesterday.

The 1.65 million tickets available will be sold in three separate phases, with the first batch of 750,000 tickets being sold for individual teams or venues.

One third of those tickets will be available only to rugby players, supporters, volunteers and officials in New Zealand.

"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 World Cup excitement," RWC 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said.

The most expensive ticket package in the first phase will cost NZ$1,720 ($1,220) for the opening ceremony and five matches at Auckland's Eden Park.

New Zealand play Tonga in the opening match at Eden Park on Sept. 9, 2011.

The All Blacks, who have not won the World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987, have the most expensive team pack, costing NZ$1,400 for their four matches.

Two of their pool matches will be held at Eden Park with other matches in Hamilton and Wellington.