Rugby fans around the world and the people of Japan can now begin to plan for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience following today’s announcement of the Rugby World Cup 2019 ticketing programme.

Japan set for ‘most accessible’ Rugby World Cup with launch of the ticketing programme

1.8 million tickets available for Asia's first Rugby World Cup

Prices start at ¥1,000 for children and ¥2,019 for adults as Japan aims to deliver 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience

60,000 fans have already registed to create a ticketing account

Ticket sales for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan will begin in January 2018 as the Japan 2019 organising committee announced details of an ‘attractive and accessible’ tournament ticketing programme.

With the match schedule also announced, the Japanese public and rugby fans around the world can now begin to plan for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience.

At the heart of a programme aimed at selling 1.8 million tickets, are child tickets from ¥1,000, adult tickets from ¥2,019 and 900,000 tickets under ¥15,000 as organisers aim to attract new fans to the sport across the nationwide spread of 12 host cities.

Accessibility is also central to the strategy and Japan 2019 is set to be the most accessible Rugby World Cup of the modern era with a three-phase programme that recognises domestic and global demand, rewarding the Japan rugby family, host city residents and supporters’ club/front row members within the priority sales phases.

Fans can secure tickets via the public sales process managed by Japan Rugby 2019 or via the official travel and hospitality programmes managed by Sports Travel and Hospitality (STH) Limited. Details of the full range of options can be found on the official ticketing website www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets.

Demand is anticipated to be high, with 60,000 fans already having registered interest in tickets via the official ticketing site since September. All fans interested in public tickets need to register.

As with previous Rugby World Cups a phased process will operate beginning in January 2018. This process has been designed to be attractive and accessible for Japanese public and rugby family, while giving global fans a fair chance of securing tickets for what is set to be a very special Rugby World Cup.

Phase one: Supporter tours, Team and Stadium packs

Supporters around the world and in Japan can buy travelling fan packages from 1 January, allowing them time to make travel arrangements. These will be sold through the official travel agents appointed by STH, the exclusive official travel provider. Fans can find out more via www.rugbyworldcup.com/supportertours.

The priority sales programme for the Japan rugby family, host cities’ residents and Supporters’ Club/Front Row members will launch in January 2018 and will operate in a phased process, starting with team and stadium bundles, which are available for a limited amount of time.

19-26 January, 2018: Japan rugby family priority group ballot applications for team and stadium packs

27 January – 12 February, 2018: General ballot applications for team and stadium packs – open to anyone around the world

Phase two: Individual sales for priority groups and hospitality

From 1 February, 2018 the hospitality programme will launch via STH Japan KK, offering a range of package options, catering for a variety of requirements and budgets. In the meantime, individuals and companies can register their interest via www.rugbyworldcup.com/hospitality.

The individual ticket priority sales programme for the Japan rugby family, host cities residents, Supporters’ Club/Front Row members will launch in February 2018 and will operate in a phased process. Japan Rugby 2019 has collaborated with the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) and its clubs to make tickets available to club members who support the game week-in, week-out in the host nation.

19 February – 12 March, 2018: Japan rugby family priority group ballot applications (club members)

19 March – 12 April, 2018: Host cities priority group ballot applications

19 April – 12 May, 2018: Japan rugby friends priority group ballot applications

19 May – 26 June, 2018: Supporters’ Club/Front Row members priority group ballot applications

Phase three: General ticket sales from September 2018

In September 2018, one year from the tournament, general sales will begin through a public application process. Fans will be able to apply for tickets with oversubscribed matches being entered into a ballot system. The final phase of ticketing will see any remaining tickets go on sale on a first-come, first-served basis from January 2019.

19 September – 12 November, 2018: General global ballot applications

19 January, 2019: Real-time first-come-first-served individual tickets sales



All sales phases will start at 10:00 (Japan time) on the advertised date

Demand is anticipated to be high, with 60,000 fans already having registered interest in tickets via the official ticketing site since September. All fans interested in public tickets need to register.

Japan Rugby 2019 Chief Executive Akira Shimazu said: “We are today launching a ticketing programme that will provide all of Japan with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage with one of the world’s biggest and best-loved major sports event, and the biggest sporting event in Japan for a generation.

“Our ambition is for the tournament to be a celebration of rugby, friendship and Japan, encouraging more people to support the game, and that ambition is reflected in an attractive and accessible ticketing programme.



“We have a range of tickets for every budget and a sales process that will ensure that host city residents, the Japan rugby family and global rugby family have ample opportunity to experience this very special event in a very special nation.”

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont added: “This announcement represents a fantastic opportunity for the people of Japan and fans around the world to experience what promises to be a very special and ground-breaking Rugby World Cup in 2019. With the match schedule also announced this is the day that they can start to plan. There are affordable and accessible options to suit every need.”



Mastercard, as a worldwide partner of Rugby World Cup 2019, is offering those who apply for tickets using their Mastercard the chance to receive a double entry in the ticketing ballot for the opportunity to secure tickets to each of the matches they apply for.