Pricey World Cup awaits fans
World Cup organisers may be keen to punt the high number of 'affordable' tickets on offer, but the 2015 World Cup in England will be a pricey affair for fans.
Organisers announced on Wednesday that more than one million tickets for World Cup 2015 will be made available at £100 (US$163) or less and 500,000 at £50 (US$82) or less.
This, they claim, means prices were "affordable and accessible".
However, the need to generate a staggering £80-million (US$130-million) means tickets for the play-offs will be almost 25 percent more expensive that those of the last tournament – the 2011 version in New Zealand.
Adult tickets start at £15 (US$25) for pool matches and there will be child tickets available from £7 (US$11) at 41 of the 48 matches.
Ticket prices will range from £7 (US$11) to £315 (US$514) for pool matches, £15 (US$25) to £515 (US$840) for knockout matches and £150 (US$250) to £715 (US$1,166) for the Final at Twickenham on October 31.
England 2015 Chief Executive Debbie Jevans said the pricing was done to ensure more people can support and enjoy the tournament.
"We have a range of ticket prices for every budget," Jevans said, adding: "Our ticketing programme is built for fans who support the game week in week out, whilst encouraging a new generation of fans through World Cup 2015."
IRB Chief Executive Brett Gosper added: "This announcement represents a fantastic opportunity for fans around the world to experience what promises to be a very special World Cup. There are affordable and accessible options to suit every need."
* Meanwhile the fixtures were also released.
England will face an as yet unnamed side from Oceania at Twickenham in the opening game of the World Cup on September 18.
World champions New Zealand will begin the defence of their crown against fellow Rugby Championship side Argentina at Wembley on September 20.
Ireland take on Canada at the Millennium Stadium the day before, while Wales begin their campaign at the same time and venue on September 20.
Scotland must wait until Wednesday September 23 to get started, when they will face an as yet to be decided team from Asia at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium.
The two other Six Nations teams, France and Italy, go head-to-head on September 19.
Two-time World Cup champions South Africa face an Asian qualifier on September 19, while fellow Rugby Championship outfit Australia (also two-time winners) have to wait to September 23 when they face a qualifier from the Oceania group.
The two semifinals will be staged at Twickenham over the weekend of October 24 and 25.
The 48th and Final contest of the tournament also takes place at the historic west London venue on Saturday, October 31.
"Our key priority is ensuring we give the teams a balanced and equitable schedule which we believe we have achieved," said Jevans.
