Ticket prices for the three the British and Irish Lions test matches against the All Blacks next year will cost between $149 and $449.

Ticket prices for next year's British and Irish Lions tour have been released and, as expected, New Zealand Rugby have attempted to strike a balance between cashing in from the three tests, and making other matches around the country affordable.

The 10-match tour, which stretches across seven cities over six weeks and kicks off on June 3 in Whangarei, is a marquee event. That has been reflected in test match ticket prices, which range from $149 to $449. Those measure up with the 2011 World Cup quarter final in New Zealand, and are comparable to the last Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005.

"We looked at a range of comparable events - some of the big concerts, some of the prices in US sport and then tried to find the right balance," NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said. "In the end this is a one in 12-year event and we have an opportunity to raise revenue to smooth over those 12 years.

"We've got to have the money coming in, but we also wanted to make sure it wasn't unaffordable for Kiwis. Given we had no problem selling those quarter finals in 2011 that would be an indicator this should work for enough New Zealanders."

Demand is expected to far outweigh capacity of the test venues, Eden Park and Westpac Stadium. An online ballot is, therefore, scheduled to open on September 5 to apply for tickets for the three tests - two in Auckland and one in Wellington.

The ballot, drawn in mid-November, will only be accessible to those living in New Zealand.

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Matches involving the New Zealand provincial barbarians, five Kiwi Super Rugby teams and New Zealand Maori range from $39 to $129. Children's tickets start at $10 for the barbarians match in Whangarei; $29 for the other non-test matches.

Around 350,000 tickets will go on sale - 250,000 via general public ticket process; 8,000 will be allocated to Lions supporters for each match, if required.

"If we did any less than 8,000 we'd be taking a major hit for travel, hospitality, retail and everyone else that benefits," Tew said.

Tickets go on general sale from October 28 for all seven non-test matches. This follows a priority period from early October for thousands of New Zealand rugby community members including players, club members, volunteers, season ticket holders, stadium members and team All Blacks members.



Tew acknowledged prices were set higher than for normal Super Rugby matches and domestic tests and was unsure what the public feedback would be.

"The ultimate test of that will be when they go on sale," he said.

"The three test matches are a premier event. We've seen the top price tickets for events of this standing sell sooner than the cheaper prices. Arguably, we could have priced the top tickets higher than we have but we wanted to make it affordable.



"We believe we've settled on a fair level of pricing for what is the biggest event New Zealand will host since Rugby World Cup 2011.



"A family of four will be able to see the British & Irish Lions take on their Super Rugby team for under $160."



More than 20,000 Lions fans are expected to descend on New Zealand during the series.



"Delivering a successful and profitable series on and off the field is critical to making sure the game remains strong in New Zealand. The revenue that's generated from this one in 12-year event gets ploughed back into rugby at all levels for the benefit of future generations."

As with Rugby World Cup 2011 and New Zealand's last Lions series in 2005, Tew said it was important supporters of the game received priority access.



"We want to reward the loyalty of those who underpin the game," he said. "We'll provide initial access to people already involved in rugby, whether they're Super Rugby season ticket holders or registered players, coaches and referees. We'll then run a ballot for the tests which will be open to those living in New Zealand only. This will include a maximum purchase of four tickets."

Pre-sales for non-test matches:

3-13 October season ticket holders

14-18 October rugby community members

21-27 October Team All Blacks members

Public sale for non-test matches from 28 October 2016:

More than 50 per cent of tickets priced under $100.



Test match ticket ballot:



Ballots for test tickets open September 5, close November 1, 2016. Ballot drawn between November 2 and 16, 2016.



