Lions to get Hong Kong stadium rocking as sales surge
Announcement of squad creates big demand for tickets to Barbarians clash
A "huge surge" in interest since the 37-strong British and Irish Lions squad was named on Tuesday has raised prospects of a full-house and a mini-Hong Kong Sevens atmosphere when the famous touring side take on the Barbarians at Hong Kong Stadium on June 1.
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman Trevor Gregory said yesterday "the stadium will be rocking" and was confident of matching the sell-out scenario of the Sevens.
While tickets for the three tests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney sold out in 15 minutes, demand for the historic offshore meeting against the Barbarians had been sluggish.
But Gregory said there had been a spike in interest since the Sam Warburton-led squad was named and also the inclusion of Hong Kong winger Rowan Varty in the Barbarians line-up.
"We have been inundated with requests for tickets and there is a serious chance of tickets selling out," said Gregory.
"There has been a huge surge and we are well ahead of where we expected to be at this point of time."