AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Following two incredible semifinals on Saturday night, tickets for an explosive grand final have been snapped up with New Zealand Rugby looking to release every available seat to ensure a completely packed-out Eden Park next weekend.
With over 8,000 tickets sold within minutes of the Black Ferns nail-biting win over France, organisers are hoping to set another record for the biggest crowd at a women’s Rugby World Cup game and an individual women’s sporting event in New Zealand.
The Black Ferns will take on rivals England in their second consecutive World Cup final with the Red Roses looking to extend their impressive 30-game win streak, while New Zealand are eying a record sixth title and their first in front of a home crowd.
Both sides were put to the test on Saturday night with the Red Roses forced to work until the final minute against a fierce Canada side determined to knock-off the tournament favourites, while the Black Ferns played out a World Cup classic against France which was decided by a missed penalty attempt in the final minute.
After NZR and World Rugby announced a sold-out event for the opening day of the tournament, it soon came to light that just over 32,000 tickets were sold in the 40,000-seat stadium. Determined to make sure every seat is filled for the final, a review of the remaining space is currently underway.
Even before the grand final RWC2021 has smashed previous World Cup attendance records with over 107,000 fans packing out stadiums in Auckland and Whangerai across the five-week tournament, while a full Eden Park will double the previous World Cup final crowd record set at the 2014 event in France.
With thousands more around the world tuning in to watch the tournament and following on social media, World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont believes the support of the tournament is a testament to the standard of women’s rugby.
“Rugby World Cup 2021 has proven to be a triumph for rugby, women’s sport and New Zealand,” Beaudmont said in a statement. “On and off the field records have tumbled, personalities have been projected and barriers smashed as the stars of women’s rugby have shone brightly, underscored by two incredible semifinals.
“People make great events and New Zealanders have been amazing – the team behind the teams. My message to them is don’t miss out, snap up the last tickets, turn on your televisions, engage in social media and let’s make history together – the greatest women’s rugby event ever and an inspiration for girls and boys to get into rugby.”
It was a disappointing showing from fans during the semifinals with just over 20,000 tickets sold for the night, with much of the cavernous stadium remaining empty.For the crowd that attended, they were treated to incredible rugby that will likely go down in history as some of the most exciting women’s matches ever played.
With just one game day left with Canada and France to play out a bronze medal final ahead of the grand final on Saturday, Black Ferns wing Ruby Tui has urged her nation to get behind the final night.
“Let’s do something great together New Zealand, I love you Aotearoa.”