Get in early... the beer's cheaper

Photo / Richard Robinson

The price of beer at the Rugby World Cup has been announced - and it's up to $2.50 cheaper than the prices at bars surrounding the fan zone.

Punters attending the match at Eden Park tonight will be able to get a can of Heineken for $7.50, which is the same price set for beer at the fan zone.

At the Shed 10 bar at Queens Wharf and on nights when the fan zone expands into the Cloud, a 330ml cup of Heineken will be sold for $7.50.

Heineken is the official sponsor of the World Cup and will be one of two outlets at the wharf, along with the Brancott Estate wine bar at the Cloud.

Bars surrounding the Queens Wharf fan zone have been selling similar-sized beers for $8 to $10.

All forms of payments are accepted at the main bar in Shed 10, but only Mastercard and cash are permitted at Eden Park. The prices were kept secret until Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development released them yesterday.

There were rumours leading up to the announcement that punters buying beer at matches wouldn't get much change out of $10.

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