500 day countdown to Rugby World Cup
Exeter Chiefs players, school children and city representatives revealed a giant calendar at Sandy Park today (May 6) to mark 500 days to go to Rugby World Cup 2015.
The calendar revealed the date when tickets for all 48 matches, including three fixtures at Sandy Park, will go on sale to the general public: September 12, with the application window closing on September 29, 2014. From September 12, members of the public will be able to select the matches they want to attend across the country and in Cardiff, with any oversubscribed matches balloted.
In advance of the general sale, 500,000 tickets will go on sale to rugby fans this month through the Rugby Community Ticket Programme launched earlier this year. All clubs and RFU affiliated organisations in England will, from today, be able to register their nominated members to purchase tickets from May 16, 2014.
The programme gives clubs the opportunity to recognise and reward loyal fans who support the game week in week out in the host country for Rugby World Cup 2015.
Sandy Park hosts three Rugby World Cup 2015 fixtures:
Tonga v Africa 1, 29 Sep, 16.45 (Pool C)
Africa 1 v Georgia, 7 Oct, 20.00 (Pool C)
Italy v Romania, 11 Oct, 14.30 (Pool D)
Cllr Rosie Denham, Exeter City Council Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture, said: “It’s a very exciting day for Exeter and rugby fans across the South West. Our local clubs can now apply for tickets, rewarding loyal fans of the game. The local response for volunteers has been fantastic. We were oversubscribed and are looking forward to the Try Out sessions in July.
‘Rugby World Cup 2015 is a fantastic opportunity for Exeter, Devon and the South West to be part of one of the world’s biggest and best sporting occasions, here in the heartland of English rugby. Planning is well underway on everything from transport arrangements to the city centre fanzone. Today it feels as if the excitement is really starting to build.”
Tony Rowe OBE, Chairman and Chief Executive of Exeter Rugby Club, said: “Sandy Park is proud to be hosting Rugby World Cup 2015. This is an incredible opportunity for the whole region to get behind what is going to be a fabulous tournament viewed by millions of people around the world. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for fans, businesses, schools and communities to make 2015 a truly unforgettable year of rugby.”
Exeter City Council is working with Visit England and overseas travel agents to promote Exeter internationally for the three games at Sandy Park. In the summer, Exeter will find out if it is to officially host an international team for the duration of the tournament.
England Rugby 2015 today also announced details for the international Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour, celebrating rugby and taking the Webb Ellis Cup to 15 countries in the build-up to the Tournament.
The tour will be delivered in partnership with DHL and Land Rover and will depart for Japan on May 20, 2014 for the first leg of the tour. In addition to Japan, the route will include visits to Australia, Fiji, Madagascar, Kenya, South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, China, USA, UAE, Italy, Germany, Romania, France before returning to England on 100 days to go (June 10, 2015) for a tour of the UK and Ireland.
As Tournament planning progresses at pace, the search to find the 6,000 volunteers to welcome the world to England and to rugby in 2015 is well underway with over 20,000 applications received to join ‘The Pack’. Try-Outs (selection events) will be held between June and December 2014 in every RWC 2015 Host City, with members of the ‘The Pack’ confirmed in January 2015.
Debbie Jevans, England Rugby 2015 CEO, said: “Our plans are right on track with 500 days to go. We are pleased to announce the dates of the general sale today, allowing fans to save the date and plan.
“We have seen a very strong response to the Rugby Community Ticket Programme and we are pleased we have enabled clubs to recognise their loyal fans with access to tickets for Rugby World Cup 2015 on home turf. From today, members are being registered and 500,000 tickets will go on sale from May 16 – June 30.
“Everything is in place now for a great Tournament as we move into the delivery phase of our major campaigns. We can already see the great enthusiasm for RWC 2015 500 days out, with over 20,000 applications to join The Pack and the positive response to the Rugby Community Ticket programme.”
RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset added: “With 500 days to go, everything is in place to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2015 is an unforgettable experience for players and fans, delivering a record-breaking platform for the promotion and growth of rugby worldwide.
"The vision and dedication of the event organisers has driven great excitement and enthusiasm across the 13 venues and host cities and this is being reflected across the global rugby community as we count down to what I am confident will be the biggest and best Rugby World Cup yet, furthering the profile and growth of Rugby in the host nation and worldwide.”
Ian Ritchie, RFU Chief Executive said: “When we launched our legacy vision with 3 years to go, we talked about inspiring people and bringing rugby to more people across the country. The countdown today marks another important milestone on that journey and there is a real sense of excitement as the tournament gets closer.
"We are investing in people and facilities to make sure that the legacy from hosting the tournament is real and lasting – we want more people playing, coaching, refereeing and volunteering, watching and talking about rugby - and we are on our way to delivering that vision.”
Photo courtesy of Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency
