• Fans urged to purchase Rugby World Cup 2019 tickets via official sources only
  • Fans can check whether their intended source is official via new online resource
  • Fans with tickets purchased via unofficial sources risk not gaining entry to the stadium


At the heart of the programme is a dedicated web page at www.rugbyworldcup.com/buy-official, which has been launched to enable fans to check whether their Rugby World Cup 2019 ticketing source is official. 
Fans should be aware of the following:

the official ticketing website is the only official source to purchase match tickets (www.tickets.rugbyworldcup.com)

there are only 21 official travels agents authorized to sell ticket-inclusive travel packages (more details at www.rugbyworldcup.com/supportertours

there is only one ticket-inclusive hospitality provider, STH Group (more details via www.rugbyworldcup.com/hospitality)

a ticket resale service is being considered for launch in 2019 to enable fans to sell unwanted tickets to other rugby fans through the official ticketing website at www.tickets.rugbyworldcup.com

World Rugby will also be launching an infomercial to accompany the launch of individual public ticket sales on 19 September 2018. This video will be launched on social media to World Rugby’s community of 8.5 million fans as well as being screened by rights-holding broadcasters accompanied by the #BuyOfficial hashtag.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont is urging fans to be vigilant and only buy through official channels to guarantee a place at Rugby World Cup 2019: "Rugby World Cup is one of the largest and must-see global major events and we are anticipating more than 400,000 fans to travel to Japan to be a part of what promises to be a very special tournament.” 

“We are very aware that unofficial sources will try to exploit fans via unofficial ticketing, hospitality or merchandise and urge fans to be vigilant and check out authorised ticket providers at www.rugbyworldcup.com/buy-official before purchasing via the official channels.”

"It is our priority to ensure that their experience is memorable for all the right reasons and therefore it is important that all fans planning to attend the Tournament are informed that they face a major disappointment, including being refused entry, unless they purchase their tickets, hospitality and merchandise from official outlets." 

Despite significant demand for tickets, there are several opportunities for fans to purchase tickets to rugby’s showcase event and all the details can be found at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets. 

Agents operating under the official supporter tour programme are currently taking bookings from international and domestic fans wishing to avail of a ticket-inclusive package. The official hospitality programme is experiencing strong interest, while subscribers to the Front Row/Supporter Club newsletters can now apply for tickets within a priority ballot window that is open until 26 June. General ticket sales begin on 19 September. 

Aside from running the risk of being refused entry to a match if found in possession of tickets obtained via unofficial channels, purchasing from unofficial sources also takes money out of the sport, which would have otherwise been reinvested by World Rugby or the Japan Rugby Football Union in the development of the sport.