2017 Lions Tour ballot opens today - How to get your tickets

The 2017 Lions Tour of New Zealand is expected to be the country's biggest event since Rugby World Cup 2011. Photo / Getty

The 2017 British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand is expected to be one of the country's biggest events since Rugby World Cup 2011.

With demand far outweighing availability, tickets to the series will be done through a ballot system.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew believes this is the most fair and transparent way of ensuring all New Zealanders get a chance to go to a test.

The British & Irish Lions will play 10 matches across seven cities from Whangarei to Dunedin.

The series gets underway in Whangarei on 3 June 2017 and culminates in Auckland on 8 July when the All Blacks play the third and final test against the touring side.

How Much Are Tickets?

Ticket prices will vary for non-test matches, with more than 50 per cent of tickets priced under $100, however the following will apply to matches involving the All Blacks.

Category A - $449.00
Category B - $379.00
Category C - $249.00
D/GA - $149.00

How Many Tickets Are Available?

There will be a total of 350,000 tickets on sale, with 250,000 available via the general public ticket process.

Public sales for non-test matches will start from 28 October 2016.

Priority sales for non-test matches are as follows:

3-13 October - Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup season ticket holders
14-18 October - Rugby community members
21-27 October - Team All Blacks members

How Does the Ballot Work?

The ballot opens today at noon and will be drawn in mid-November.

There is a maximum of four tickets per person and they will only be accessible by those living in New Zealand.

In recognising the ongoing support of the rugby community, additional entries into the ballot are available for:

- 2017 Super Rugby Team or 2016 Provincial Union season ticket and/or membership holders
- Registered members of the New Zealand rugby community (e.g. registered players, coaches, referees, administrators or volunteers)
- Members of Team All Blacks
- Tickets purchased for HSBC Wellington Sevens 2017

There will also be corporate hospitality provided through both All Blacks Tours and All Blacks Hospitality. This will cater to all rugby fans including those from overseas.

For more information head to allblacks.com