Cup beer price hike on cards

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Rugby fans won't get much change out of $10 when they buy a beer at Rugby World Cup matches.

The Herald on Sunday has been told punters should expect to pay higher prices than normal for cans of Amstel Light or Heineken, the only beer allowed in the stadiums.

David Allott, general manager of Eden Park Catering, says that at prestigious international events "it's not unusual that price structures are slightly different".

Allott says the price decision will be made by the Rugby World Cup board within the next eight weeks.

Glenn Corbett, a director at catering company Eurest, says there's "a real determination" to keep prices affordable for matchgoers - but prices will be in line with other global sporting events.

Events planner and former Rugby League international Dean Lonergan says punters should expect to pay prices at least as high as those charged at Auckland's Viaduct bars. Those bars charge around $8 for a 330ml bottle of regular-strength beer, though tap beers and handles tend to work out slightly cheaper. A 330ml plastic bottle of regular-strength beer at Eden Park costs $8.

"Prices are going to go up," Lonergan says. "I would've thought they'd definitely price it at a premium. They will have a captive market of 50,000 to 60,000 fans in the stadium so I'd expect prices to be $8.50 to $10."

Rugby New Zealand 2011 communications manager Mike Jaspers said prices had not been finalised but "you will get change from $10 for a can of beer".

Free water would be available at match venues as part of an "alcohol management plan".