Wellington Sevens tickets sell out in 3 mins

Fans enjoying the party at the 2009 Wellington sevens. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Rugby fans have proved their appetite for the game, snapping up tickets to the Wellington Sevens in record-breaking time.

Just over three minutes was all it took to sellout seats to the summer event, which went on sale at 9am today.

The tournament will take place on February 3 and 4 at Westpac Stadium.

About 25,000 tickets were available for the weekend event, with the final 10,000 of those going on sale today following pre-sales.

Last year they sold out in three-and-a-half minutes and New Zealand International Sevens general manager Steve Walters was not surprised demand for the tournament was equally strong this year.

He said Rugby World Cup had added to the excitement for the game.

"We were fairly confident. The rugby World Cup's great - there's euphoria in the country at the moment about rugby. With Dan Carter's injury we need some good news,'' he said.

Prices ranged from $145 to $195 for an adult and $60 for a child.

Every year the tournament gets better and next year would be no different, said Walters.
Fans could expect new forms of crowd entertainment over the two-day event, which would be "another step up'' from last year, he said.

The tournament is the third on the IRB Sevens World Series and attracts 16 teams from around the world to compete.

It has gained a reputation of a mix of high class rugby and a fun party atmosphere with most of the crowd choosing to wear fancy dress.