Organisers of next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens yesterday predicted an early sellout - despite tickets costing $1,000.
A 33 per cent price hike was confirmed yesterday by Hong Kong Rugby Football Union executive director Allan Payne, who also announced a new ticketing scheme for the March 18-20 showpiece.
'We're pretty comfortable with asking people to pay more,' Payne said. 'There will be 81 games, compared with 57 at a normal Hong Kong Sevens. To stage a World Cup event you need the machinery - more referees, touch judges, citing officials, judiciary officials and a host of other officials. .
'We also have to pay a franchise fee to the IRB [International Rugby Board] which is a lot more than the Hong Kong Sevens,' Payne said. 'And then we have various guests and other VIPs.'
The $1,000 price for adults and $350 for children (12 and under) is the same as the 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens which Hong Kong hosted. 'It's a fine balance to get the price right and I feel we have,' he said.
He advised fans to get in early when tickets go on sale in November as he predicted an early sellout. The first indicator is the corporate response to suites and Payne said all previous box holders had 'let it be known they want them back. And there is a waiting list. I don't want to appear over-optimistic, but they could all be taken in the next two or three weeks,' he said.