Rugby World Cup: Ticket ballots to take place for seats at every match of 2015 event

Ballots are to take place for some seats at every match of next year's Rugby World Cup to determine who receives tickets after organisers revealed higher-than-expected demand.

At least 20 of the 48 matches will see a ballot held for all price categories with the demand also ensuring almost all of the lower price categories will be sold out even for the less high-profile games.

The sales window closed on Monday and the outcome of the ballots will be revealed in October, with any unsold tickets going on general sale in November.

England Rugby 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans said: "We are very pleased with the demand for tickets and the number of applications.

"It is clear that, for many matches or price categories, demand has exceeded supply and every one of the 48 matches will go to ballot in at least one of the four price categories - and it is likely that at least 20 matches will be balloted at every price category.

"We will be running ballots in the next few weeks to ensure tickets are allocated fairly and will let all customers know the results of their applications by the end of October and before we take payments.

"We will spend the next few weeks processing the applications, running ballots, ensuring as many rugby fans as possible get tickets."