Can't knock ticket prices for the final. Cheapest at £15, with discount and a free beanie hat. Bargain prices.

What would we class as a success in terms of crowds for those 3 big games? (the opener, semi's and final).

I personally can't wait for the competition. The last world cup in Australia looked a fantastic event and I was jealous of friends that made it over for that. I won't have that problem with this one and will be getting to plenty of games. I'm looking forward to those 3 big ones but also games like the Irish playing Fiji in Rochdale, New Zealand vs Samoa at Wire and Tonga vs Cook Island at Leigh.

Great news. Weve just bought tickets to 18 matches. Can't wait.

WOW that exceeded my expectations!! It looks as if things are actually been done right for this tournament. Normally we don't see any marketing until two weeks before the tournament, but people behind the scenes are really banging the drum well in advance.

Take the press conference today. Players from all 14 countries answering questions to a packed press conference and we're still a year to go. This is marketing been done properly! We're still a year away until the tournament begins, but i think more people are aware of next years world cup already, than they were about the 2000 wrold cup when it actually started!!

I won't hold my breath that there won't be negative threads when Scotland vs. USA doesn't sell out for example, but the amount of advertising of the event on Twitter by the various local areas hosting games show that there's a great desire to make this a success, and I guess it's over to us lot now to make it so. Cheaper for me to go to the World Cup Final than watch Wakefield!

a sell out final would be awesome, and over 40 k for the opener would be a realistic target - but with marketing and the post olympic enthusiasm for big well organised events, who knows. this is the key really - the rl organisers need to put this across as a big event for the country - the lack of other big events in 2013 certainly helps this

Bristol game for me!

I'd love to see the Welsh people get right behind the team for that opening game. They have a side with real spirit and it's packed full of out and out Welsh lads. They'll have a tough game against Italy who'll have some really experienced players in their team via Minichello, Gower, Laffranchi etc but Wales aren't a bad side.

If we could just get 12-15,000 locals in the ground to add to hopefully 40k plus that will make the trip from round the heartlands it will make for a really good opening and an excellent atmosphere.

But Stevo said it would be a failure?

A positive start. Lets hope it continues.

Er, if the tickets have just gone on sale, how come I was able to order my tickets for the two Wrexham games on 21st. September (I've got the receipt in front of me as I type).

and stevo's always right as well - damn!

England v Australia in a double-header at the Millennium Stadium on Sat 26 Oct.

1.
It doesn't say what the other game is.

2.
One might think that, with England in action, the organisers might have tried to play this game in, er, England. Instead we are asking people to trek all the way to Cardiff.

An opportunity missed for a good crowd at Wembley / Old Trafford / City of Manchester and vocal home support!

I can't see this happening in any other sport. Imagine if Poland had opened Euro 2012 by playing the first game in Ukraine? Utter madness.

Or even worse if in cricket's historic Ashes series England's 1st test match against Australia was played in Cardiff? Oops, wait a minute



It is a stadium well known to league fans. Wales will get a lot of support from locals also wanting to see England v Australia. The roof will be closed so we will see an open game in dry conditions whatever is happening outside. Deplorable decision

My understanding is that the 'England' cricket team is actually 'England and Wales'. However for convenience sake they are normally referred to as England. I may be wrong, though.

A bit like when we played as GB, but it was actually GB and Ireland.

Great news!

Ill be getting mine closer to the time. But to sell over 50k on the first day is a great effort!

It is a double-header. By default one of those host countries will not be at home (i.e. England). Do you think that this may be an attempt to raise the profile of the game in Wales? Wales v Italy may have got 5-6,000 as a stand alone fixture. Now we may see 50,000+ in the Millenium under a roof in October. Spectacular dry football in a world class stadium. Anyone who was at Twickenham in 2000 for the WC opener will know how an occasion can be ruined at that time of year.

This is a great decision IMO. Around 10,000 England fans made the trip to Australia in 2008. What makes you think thousands (barring a few miserable sods on here) will not do the same to Cardiff?

WC organisaers also have to think about the opening ceremony. At least they can plan knowing this will all be under the roof. For some, they won't be happy unless they can fall out of their local pub and drive 5 minutes to the venue. I would imagine the WC will bring out fans from outside RL heartlands who may fancy going to an international occasion.

Got 2 for the final, think I'll attend a few of the minor games Fiji v Ireland for example too but leave till on the day for a walk up price, theres a full stand not released on the site. Unless they keep it closed, what do people think, will they have walk up prices?

Yesterday was the first day of general sale, they have been on sale for a while to season ticket holders.

Amazing news, would love to buy tickets now but I can't plan that far in advance. Apparently there were adverts on local radio yesterday, and there has been a fair bit of coverage on BBC Breakfast and SS News. It is going to be great!

Definately going to double header at the Millenium, England v Ireland at Hudds and the Final.

Hopefully Kiwis v Samoa at Wire if i'm back on time (plan on doing the weekend in Cardiff) and
The semis at Wembley funds and England qualifying permitting.
And the quarter final at Wigan should England finish group runners up.

Looking forward to it.

Superb news, can't wait for this tournament.

Going to England v Ireland (with a minibus full of Irish lads from work too)
Australia v Fiji
NZ v Samoa
Tonga v Cook Islands
Scotland v USA
Quarters at Wigan and Wire
Semis and Final.

Ah, with it now.Fliers put under the windscreen wipers in the car park at Wrexham yesterday for the opening ceremony and games in nice sealed plastic bags against the weather, the back of mine having printed on it 'loose nails and screws medium bag'. Which is probably what I'll use it for

Think I'll hang on for the presale email they are going to send me since I registered my details on the website months ago .........

The total attendance for the successful '08 RLWC was 293965. 50000 already sold a year before the event is a great start.

That is a very encouraging statistic!