Hong Kong announces Sevens ticket dates

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) has announced the ticket sales process for the 2013 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, round six of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

In keeping with its commitment to ensuring the most equitable and convenient channel for retailing public tickets, 4,000 tickets will be made available for sale via public ballot. After a seven-week registration period that started from 13 December, the ballot will be held on 7 February 2013.

“The HKRFU is pleased to confirm that tickets for next year’s Hong Kong Sevens will be held via public ballot," said Trevor Gregory, Chairman of the HKRFU.

"The change in retailing method is in keeping with our commitment to ensure that tickets are distributed as conveniently and equitably as possible. With a seven-week registration period we believe that all interested spectators will be able to register at their convenience and that the ‘luck of the draw’ will ensure the fairest spread of tickets to the public.”

The registration window for the public ballot will be in at 9.00am on 13 December and is set to conclude at 5.00pm on Monday, 4 February 2013. Applicants can register for the public ballot via the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union websitewww.hkrugby.com as well as via the official Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens event website www.hksevens.com.

To ensure the widest possible distribution of tickets in the local community, each patron will be limited to purchasing a maximum of two tickets. Each applicant must be aged 18 or above and can apply for a maximum of two tickets in any combination of adult and children’s tickets. Children’s tickets (age 12 or under) are available in limited quantities and will only be sold while supplies last.

Each applicant will also be required to verify their local residency with valid Hong Kong ID card details and postal address for registered mail or courier services.

The ticket ballot draw will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2013. Successful applicants will then have two weeks to pay for their tickets (Friday 8 February – Friday 22 February 2013). In the case of tickets allocated through the draw remaining unpurchased after the expiry of the payment period, a re-draw will be held on Monday February 25. Ticket distribution will start on Friday 1 March 2013 via collection from the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union offices or by registered mail.

Ticket prices remain fixed at the 2012 tournament levels with an adult 3-day ticket priced at HK$1,500, while children’s tickets are retailed at HK$150 for youths aged 12 and under on or before March 22, 2013. A HK$100 administration fee (one per each successful ballot application) will be levied.

Following the continued increased demand from Hong Kong clubs and Youth and Mini Rugby, all of which have been experiencing a sustained year-on-year growth of 10%, the HKRFU expects that after the completion of the pre-sales period to HKRFU Clubs and stakeholders and the public ballot, 75% of the available event tickets will have been retailed in Hong Kong.

To further enhance ticket security, a new international supplier with experience in printing secure bank notes is producing the tickets for the 2013 tournament. Increased security features will be incorporated into the ticket itself with handheld scanners being used at the Hong Kong Stadium gates for the first time for the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in 2013.

All interested spectators are reminded that only tickets sold through the official ticketing agencies for the event or through the Hong Kong Sevens public ballot are ensured to be genuine. All spectators are reminded to purchase tickets from official channels only and should be aware that not doing so leaves them at risk.

With the hosting of 28 international teams for the first time in the event’s 38-year history - 16 to compete in the usual HSBC Sevens World Series event and 12 to compete in the pre-qualifier for core team status on the 2013/14 Series - the 2013 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens promises to be the biggest and best Hong Kong Sevens ever.