Sevens tickets released for sale

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers (left) and New Zealand Community Trust member Trevor Maxwell help launch ticket sales. Photo/Stephen Parker.

Tickets for the national provincial rugby sevens tournament to be held in Rotorua have gone on sale.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is targeting 20,000 spectators for the fast-paced competition involving 26 men's and women's teams at the International Stadium on January 11-12.

Rugby union chief executive Mike Rogers said the city's handy location to other main centres and the outstanding playing surface at the stadium would attract spectators.

Rotorua won the tender to host the tournament which has been held in Queenstown for the past 10 years.

The southern township had averaged 4000-5000 spectators per year, Mr Rogers said.

"We are hoping with the location of Rotorua within easy driving time from other main centres in the North Island we will be able to double the spectator numbers of past years," he said.

Teams will be decided after qualifying competitions in December.

Ticket prices have been deliberately set to attract keen rugby fans with prices ranging between $15 (adult) to $5 (child) and $35 for a family pass. Tickets went on sale on Monday. The Bayleys- sponsored tournament had received funding from New Zealand Community Trust.

The tournament began in 1975.