Last updated 16:55 16/09/2014


The Sevens Wellington ticket launch has gone off without a repeat of last year's disaster, but the event is still far from selling out.

A website glitch last year caused sales to grind to a halt after 10 minutes.

About 7000 tickets were snapped up, but problems with the Ticketek website and public confusion meant the event failed to sell out immediately as usual.

Ticket sales failed to regain traction, with 5000 remaining a month before the event, and tickets were still available on the first day of the sevens.

The ticket price this year has been dropped back to $199 after a $10 increase last year.

Tickets for the 2015 event went on sale at 10am today, with 13,000 tickets sold by 4pm. The stadium's capacity is 34,500.

Wellington Rugby Union chief executive James Te Puni said the number of tickets sold today was expected, and it was hoped they would continue to sell well leading up to the tournament.

"Given the way purchase patterns have changed in recent times, we're happy with the way ticket sales went today," he said.

"Wellington delivered a fantastic test match last weekend, enjoyed by a sellout crowd, yet only 5000 tickets were sold on day one for that event.

"We're confident Sevens Wellington will follow that trend." Sevens Wellington chairman Cameron Good said competition for the "entertainment dollar" was tougher than in the days when the event sold out on the first day.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/s...t-on-first-day