A steep rise in the price of an adult ticket for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens did not put off fans who snapped up the 5,000 tickets available for the public yesterday, resulting in organisers declaring the March 26-28 tournament sold out.
Despite some delays in getting through online, tickets - which cost HK$1,250 this year, 15 per cent more than last year - sold like hot cakes. Once again, this underlined the popularity of the three-day extravaganza at Hong Kong Stadium, which is part of the annual International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens Series.
'The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) is satisfied that today's sale proceeded smoothly in light of the high demand,' said Warrick Dent, the union's commercial manager.
'We are pleased to have recorded another sell-out and want to thank the Hong Kong community for their continued support. We look forward to another fantastic tournament this March.'
As in past years, the HKRFU made 5,000 tickets available to the public, who are not directly involved in local rugby. Combined with ticket sales to members of local rugby clubs and other rugby stakeholders - such as sponsors and patrons - fully 75 per cent of the 40,000 event tickets were sold to Hong Kong residents. The remaining tickets will be sold overseas.
There had been fears that organisers would face a backlash from the public after they announced last October that ticket prices would be raised for the second time in three years. Wan Chai resident Chris Ryan said: 'It is costly, especially if you have to buy more than one ticket. But it is still worth it, for the Sevens is always a great party.' He managed to get online and buy the two tickets allocated to each person.