Rugby: Lions tickets in hot demand

Tickets for next year's Lions tour on New Zealand are in hot demand with the public ballot closing on Tuesday at 5pm. Photo / Photosport.

New Zealand Rugby has received more than 140,000 applications for Lions tickets.

The union has warned fans that the public ticket ballot for the eagerly awaiting tour next year closes tomorrow at 5pm.

The ballot opened early last month with fans eagerly chasing tickets for the three test matches between the All Blacks and the tourists.

The All Blacks host the Lions on June 24 and July 8 at Auckland's Eden Park and in Wellington at Westpac Stadium on uly 1. Test match tickets range in price from $149 to $449 and will only be accessible by those living in New Zealand.

Tickets for all other seven matches featuring Lions against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, Maori All Blacks and five Super Rugby teams went on public sale on 28 October.

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew urged fans to register now to avoid disappointment.

"Interest in the three Test matches has been significant but it's not too late for fans to register for this once in a generation event. Entries in the ballot are randomly selected so registrations made on the last day of the ballot have the same chance of success as everyone else.

"In addition to the demand for the Test matches, we're also seeing good interest across all other matches after only a few days on public sales, with limited tickets available in some areas."

Successful applicants for the online ballot will be notified and offered the chance to purchase by the end of November.