Event's cash take makes it NZ's biggest - 11 times over

French fans. Photo / Janna Dixon

The Rugby World Cup has reached 99 per cent of its sales target, bringing in 11 times more money than the next biggest event in New Zealand history.

The tournament organiser, Rugby New Zealand 2011, said yesterday that revenue from ticket sales had reached $265.6 million from 1.35 million tickets.

The next-biggest event, the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour, grossed $24 million.

"We now need to make sales of just $2.9 million to meet our financial target of $268.5 million, and we fully expect to do so, with big crowds expected for the final four matches of the tournament," said chief executive Martin Snedden.

Fewer than 6000 tickets selling at an average of $500 would now meet the $2.9 million remainder.

"The way New Zealanders have embraced this event has been fantastic and we are thrilled to be in this position, given the challenges we have faced."

France play Wales this weekend in the first semifinal at Eden Park on Saturday night, and New Zealand take on Australia in the second semifinal on Sunday, from 9pm.

About 7000 tickets in most seating categories are still available for the first semifinal.

Tickets for the All Blacks v Wallabies semifinal are exhausted, but a few hundred extra tickets are expected to go on sale this week.

"Now that the four semifinalists have been confirmed we expect strong demand for remaining tickets over coming days," said marketing and communications general manager Shane Harmon.

"It's all or nothing for these teams so we urge fans to move fast to secure their place at what will be two nail-biting encounters."

Tickets can be bought online at rugbyworldcup.com/tickets and at Ticketek outlets for the France v Wales semifinal and the Bronze Final.

Tickets for the final on October 23 can be bought through official travel and hospitality packages. The public ticket allocation is exhausted.

International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset said the attendance and atmosphere at cup games continued to be strong.

"I would like to thank New Zealanders for the outstanding support and passion for this tournament," he said.

"We are set for a thrilling finale to Rugby World Cup 2011 with two compelling semifinals set to take centre stage this weekend and a Northern Hemisphere versus Southern Hemisphere showdown guaranteed for the final."