A record number of tickets will be sold for this year's Rugby World Cup in England and Wales.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lappasset says with 6-months to go the tournament is in a record-breaking position to be the most viewed and best attended tournament ever.
RWC logo Photo: Rugby World Cup
There are 2.3 million tickets for the 48 matches from September 18th to the end of October, and with 170,000 already sold within official packages they're already on target to beat the 184,000 sold for France in 2007.
Organisers say some 500,000 foreign fans are expected to visit England during the event, which will also be broadcast in 207 countries and territories.
Games will be played at 12 English venues, and Cardiff's Millenium stadium will host two quarter finals.
All Blacks celebrate 2011 Rugby World Cup victory. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Lapasset said the World Cup was underwriting almost 700 million dollars of investment in rugby by 2016.
World Rugby is launching a drive to gain one million extra players in the sport across Europe.
