RWC 2019 Captures the Imagination as 864,000 Ticket Applications Received for Team and Stadium Pack Phase

--Demand significantly exceeded supply for the initial phase of the ticketing programme as nearly 900,000 applications received by fans from more than 100 nations

--Application phase operated from 19-26 January for Japan rugby family and 27 January-12 February for international fans

--Fans have until 23:30 JST on 7 March, 2018 to pay for tickets before they are reallocated

--Applicants who were not successful in this initial phase will have further opportunities to apply for tickets in 2018 and 2019

--Tournament preparations accelerating with 2018 milestones critical to successful outcomes

The Rugby World Cup 2019 ticketing programme has got off to a fantastic start with demand significantly exceeding supply for the initial team and stadium pack sales phase, reflecting a tournament that is exciting fans in Japan and around the world.

A total of 864,000 ticket applications were received from fans in more than 100 nations during the opening priority sales phase, with ballots run for packs where demand exceeded supply, resulting in 300,000 tickets being allocated.

Team pack highlights include more than 100,000 ticket applications for the Japan team pack, more than 50,000 for the England team pack and more than 30,000 applications each for New Zealand and Ireland team packs.

Host city demand was also strong with the Yokohama pack attracting more than 200,000 ticket applications and the Tokyo pack generating 140,000 ticket applications.

More than 50 per cent of applicants opted into the Mastercard ‘Double your chances’ promotion when entering the ballot, doubling their chances of securing tickets by committing to pay by Mastercard in a special benefit that the official payment partner is offering consumers. This promotion will also apply to the ticket sales phases detailed below.

Successful applicants have been informed by email and have until 23:30 JST (14:30 GMT) on Wednesday, 7 March to secure their tickets for a once-in-a-lifetime Rugby World Cup experience.

Rugby fans who were unsuccessful in the ballots for this phase have the chance to secure the tickets they want via future phases and are urged to save the following dates:

--Host cities residents’ priority group ballot applications: 19 March-12 April

--Front Row/Supporters’ Club priority group ballot applications: 19 May-26 June

--Official Supporter Tours: available now

International fans will be able to qualify for the Front Row/Supporters’ Club priority application phase by signing-up for the official Rugby World Cup 2019 newsletter, the Front Row (www.rugbyworldcup.com/supporters).

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: "We are delighted with the initial demand for Rugby World Cup 2019 tickets more than a year out from the tournament, which demonstrates the domestic and international attraction of Asia’s first Rugby World Cup.

"Rugby World Cup is all about the fans and the players and today's announcement reinforces our belief that Rugby World Cup 2019 will be a very special celebration of rugby and Japanese culture. It really will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Japan Rugby 2019 CEO Akira Shimazu added: "This strong demand for tickets reflects the excitement that we are feeling the length and breadth of Japan. Significant applications from the host cities show that this tournament is connecting with people beyond the host cities, while the team packs show that this nation will warmly embrace all teams and visiting fans.

"We urge the successful applicants to pay for their tickets by the 23:30 JST deadline on 7 March as after that date tickets will be released."

JOIN THE FRONT ROW

For all the latest Rugby World Cup 2019 news and information, including details on tickets, Join The Front Row - and receive the official tournament newsletter. Sign up at www.rugbyworldcup.com/supporters.

For more information on the official travel and hospitality programmes, visit www.rugbyworldcup.com/supportertours and www.rugbyworldcup.com/hospitality.

Editors' notes:

About Rugby World Cup: Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan is the ninth edition of rugby's showcase global event and the first in Asia. The world's top 20 national teams will play in 48 matches hosted across 12 match cities for the right to lift the iconic Webb Ellis Cup and be crowned world champions. Rugby World Cup is the sport's financial engine, generating approximately 90 per cent of World Rugby's revenues for reinvestment in the global game over the four-year cycle. The record-breaking success of England 2015 is enabling World Rugby to invest £245.8 million in the sport by 2020, eclipsing the previous 2013-16 £201 million investment injection by 22 per cent. All the latest news can be found at www.rugbyworldcup.com and via @rugbyworldcup across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

DOMINIC RUMBLES

Head of Communications, World Rugby

T: +353-86-8520-826

E: dominic.rumbles@worldrugby.org

WorldRugby.org

Follow us on www.twitter.com/worldrugby for latest updates

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