Sevens tournament tickets out now

It's not long before Rotorua parties while watching the best national sevens players in the country.

The Bayleys National Sevens tournament is being held next weekend and tickets are available now. The popular tournament will be held on Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17 at the Rotorua International Stadium. It will be the third time the event has been held in Rotorua, after the city successfully took the event off Queenstown.

Thousands of spectators are expected to see the 26 teams (10 women's and 16 men's) battle it out over the weekend.

Event director Allison Stewart said the event, which is sponsored by the Rotorua Daily Post, was a family-friendly affair and a great party for groups of friends wanting a social outing. She said sevens was becoming increasingly popular, particularly with the inclusion of the sport at the Olympics this year, and the fast-paced nature of the tournament meant it was a great spectator sport.

The party atmosphere will come alive with great music, food and drink while at the same time there was a family area where children can enjoy craft and physical activities including a bouncy castle, she said.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre or online and cost $15 a day for adults, $5 for children under 15, free for children under 5 and families of up to two adults and three children is $35.