After selling out of their original ticket inventory last week, Canada Sevens is going to try to squeeze some more people into BC Place for their two-day tournament on March 11 and 12.

Last year’s event took Vancouver by storm, selling 60,418 tickets for the weekend tournament – a pleasant surprise to organizers. This year’s original inventory was bumped up to 66,000 (33,000 per day), but tickets sold out a month earlier than last year.

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Additional seats will be made available by opening the other side of the upper bowl. The new seating capacity will be 37,758 per day, which brings the potential two-day capacity to 75,516.

BC Place holds 54,500, but organizers have announced that no additional seats will made available beyond 37,758. Allowing operations to run smoothly and maintaining stadium atmosphere for fans and players were the reasons cited in a media release.

“The fans here are clearly embracing the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with open arms, and we know the larger crowd in 2017 will bring even more energy and spirit to the stands of BC Place, contributing to a world class environment for players and fans alike,” said HSBC Canada Sevens CEO Bill Cooper. “We believe this release of additional seating will provide the opportunity for as many rugby fans and sport enthusiasts as possible to experience the excitement of the tournament.”

Tickets will go on sale at 10 am on Saturday, January 28th.

“We strongly encourage fans who haven’t yet purchased to act fast and get their tickets as once this new inventory is gone the event will be sold out,” continued Cooper.

The organizing committee has also announced amendments to operational procedures in response to growing attendance:

Gates now opening 60 minutes prior to the first match kickoff

More concessions opening with gates, and the addition of breakfast items and coffee to stadium menus

The extension of fan “in and out” privileges until 3 pm on each day of the tournament

“The sellout of the initial ticketing inventory, and release of additional seating today is another positive milestone for the HSBC Canada Sevens, and provides further proof of the popularity of the event, and that the sport of rugby in Canada continues to grow,” said Allen Vansen, CEO of Rugby Canada. “Events like the HSBC Canada Sevens, and the inclusion of rugby sevens at the Olympic Games, have created valuable new opportunities for us to showcase and grow the sport of rugby across the country,” he added.

This year’s event will also feature the addition of an official afterparty at the Commodore on Saturday, March 11th known as Prop House. Tickets to the Prop House will be made available on Wednesday, January 25.