Rugby World Cup 2011 tournament organisers have confirmed that key match ticket sales and revenue targets have been achieved for 2010 and that international visitors will number at least 85,000.

“This is a very good position to be in with 267 days to go until kick-off,” said RNZ 2011 CEO Martin Snedden.

“We still have a lot left to do, but event preparations, coupled with ticket sales to date and strong international visitorship projections, mean we are getting ourselves in good shape to host the Tournament.

“We are on track to achieve the forecast total ticket sales revenue of NZD$268m.

“We knew this NZD$268m sales target was always going to be a big leap into the unknown given that the biggest grossing event previously in New Zealand’s history was the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour during which the NZRU grossed NZD$24m from ticket sales.

“We’ve now achieved seven times that figure. In the end, we’ll need to do eleven times that amount to hit budget.”

Rugby World Cup Limited Managing Director Mike Miller, in New Zealand to check on progress at Stadium Christchurch and the new state-of-the-art Otago Stadium said, “I have no doubt Otago Stadium will not only be ready on time, but will quickly establish itself as one of the finest sporting venues in the world with its innovative design and exceptional spectator experience.

“Having made several visits to New Zealand in the past year, is a country that is advanced in its preparations to host a fantastic Rugby World Cup.”