Thursday 23 October 2014 23:03, UK
The organisers of next year’s Rugby World Cup are delighted with the public’s response to the tournament, with almost one million tickets already sold for the 48 matches.
According to Debbie Jevans, chief executive of England Rugby 2015, ‘demand has far exceeded supply for many games’ with 650,000 ticket applications alone for England's group game against Australia at Twickenham on October 3.
The final, to be played at the same venue four weeks later, has attracted half-a-million applications with rugby fans set to learn their fate at the weekend.
Total ticket applications were more than five million, which is a higher level of demand than for any of the previous seven Rugby World Cup tournaments.
Demand has exceeded supply for a high number of our matches
In September, tickets went on general sale for an 18-day period, and 23 of the 48 games required a ballot in every price category.
Other games that attracted heavy applications were matches between England against Wales New Zealand-Argentina and Australia versus Wales, along with both semi-finals.
Jevans said: "We are thrilled with demand for tickets a year out from the tournament, and the record level of demand we saw in September is a terrific indicator of the general interest and excitement for the World Cup.
"Demand has exceeded supply for a high number of our matches, and the only downside of such strong demand is that there will inevitably be some disappointment when rugby fans are notified of the results of their applications on Saturday.
"We would like to thank everyone who applied for tickets, and anyone who missed out on tickets this time will get first priority when the remaining tickets go back on sale next month."
In addition to Twickenham, other venues hosting matches are: Millennium Stadium, Wembley Kingsholm, Elland Road, St James Park, Leicester City Stadium, Sandy Park, Brighton Community Stadium, Villa Park, Olympic Stadium, Stadiummk, Etihad Stadium.
