Rugby World Cup attendance tops one million

French fans before their Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool A match against Tonga at the Wellington Regional Stadium. Photo / Mark Mitchell

More than one million fans attended the Rugby World Cup's 40 matches boosted by four sell-outs over the weekend, tournament organisers announced today.

The official attendance for the tournament stands at 1.07 million heading into this weekend's quarter-final stage with tickets still available for the first round of the knock-out phase.

Nearly a quarter of a million fans alone attended the weekend's matches which included four packed stadiums.

"That's an incredible turnout - equivalent to filling Eden Park around 18 times," said Rugby New Zealand 2011 CEO Martin Snedden.

"We are thrilled that so many fans in New Zealand have taken the chance to get a taste of the fun and excitement of RWC 2011 action. Games have been full of great colour and passion from fans both local and overseas and that has added a fantastic flavour to every match.

"We promised a unique experience as our Stadium of Four Million fans warmly embraced the teams and their supporters and that's exactly what happened."

RNZ 2011 also announced that the momentum in ticket sales has continued with 1.34 million tickets now sold. This has pushed ticket revenue to NZ$262 million.

Just NZ$6.5 million of sales are now needed to meet the Tournament end revenue target of NZ$268.5 million.

"I have no doubt we will reach our goal despite the major challenges we have faced, both with the tragic Christchurch earthquake and the difficult economic climate," said Martin Snedden.

Ireland plays Wales in the first quarter-final in Wellington, followed by France against England at Eden Park. On Sunday South Africa plays Australia in Wellington and the All Blacks take on Argentina in the last quarter final at Eden Park.

There is good availability across most categories for the Auckland quarter-finals with around 16,000 tickets available for the England v France match and 10,000 for the New Zealand v Argentina match.

Tickets are more limited for the Wellington quarter-finals with under 4,500 remaining for the first match and under 5,000 for the second.

- HERALD ONLINE