Warriors tackle night market

Ruben Wiki is one of the Warriors delegation who will be at the night market tomorrow. Photo / File

Strong ticket sales to the NRL rugby league game this weekend has the Rotorua Lakes Council confident of achieving Rotorua's biggest attendance for a Vodafone Warriors game.

The Warriors play Penrith Panthers on Saturday at the Rotorua International Stadium.

Community events are being held from tomorrow, with Warriors' past and present players visiting 12 Rotorua schools.

Ruben Wiki, Jerome Ropati, Charlie Gubb, Saliva Havili and Glen Fisiiahi will be part of the visits and will also be at the Rotorua Night Market tomorrow night.

Destination Rotorua's events & venues general manager, Peter McLeod, said the Warriors had a loyal fan base in Rotorua and were keen to repay that.

"We are confident of a big turn-out for Saturday's match. While most sales do occur in the week immediately before the match, pre-sales to date are running ahead of previous Warriors games in the city and a campaign for bulk sales through the schools has also been well received," Mr McLeod said.

"Particularly pleasing is that the discounted family offer has proven to be very popular. There has also been positive feedback to the one-price entry, which will allow patrons to enjoy grandstand seating without any additional charge. We are confident of achieving our biggest attendance ... "

Mr McLeod said the market will also be a chance to get up close and personal with the players: "Meeting locals at the night market, signing autographs and posing for selfies was one way of thanking fans, along with visits to a number of local schools this week.

"Night-market patrons will also be able buy tickets for Saturday's match at a special Ticketmaster pop-up stand at the market."

-Tickets from Ticketmaster at Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre and online at ticketmaster.co.nz - $20 for adults, $7.50 for children, or $45 for a family pass (2 adults, 3 children). Corporate lounge entry available for $70.-Warriors squad named p27