Some 20,000 tickets have so far been sold for the world rowing championships on Lake Karapiro in Waikato later this year.
It's only the second time the event has been held in New Zealand. The first was in 1978.
World Rowing Championships 2010 says selling 20,000 tickets already and raising $5.8 million in cash and sponsorship despite the recession, is tremendous.
Chief executive Tom Mayo says it's hoped to sell a total of 50,000 tickets.
The event will run for nine days, starting on 30 October. It is likely to attract more than 700 competitors from 50 countries.
