The 2021 Rugby World Cup final between England and New Zealand in Auckland next week is expected to set a new attendance record at Eden Park.

World Rugby has confirmed that just shy of 8,000 tickets were snapped up immediately after final whistle on the last semifinal, and while current seating “is almost entirely allocated, a review of remaining space is underway, as organizers look to release every last seat for fans.”

New Zealand and England have booked their place in the Rugby World Cup 2021 Final after two nail-biting semifinal matches left fans on the edge of their seats and with their fingers on the button ready to snap up the few remaining tickets to next week’s big dance.

While the opening game of the tournament was a sellout at Eden Park, which is set at a 40,000 capacity for the tournament, organizers are looking to maximize every last seating opportunity for the final, which should see the record tumble once more. 

Prior to the tournament, the record attendance was 17,440, a figure set in Grenoble in 2018 during a France versus England international.

The tournament already has set a high watermark for attendance at women’s rugby matches, and the goal now is to maintain that momentum going forward.

“Rugby World Cup 2021 has proven to be a triumph for rugby, women’s sport and New Zealand,” World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said. “On and off the field, records have tumbled, personalities have been projected and barriers smashed, as the stars of women’s rugby have shone brightly, underscored by two incredible semifinals.

“People make great events, and New Zealanders have been amazing – the team behind the teams. My message to them is don’t miss out, snap up the last tickets, turn on your televisions, engage in social media and let’s make history together – the greatest women’s rugby event ever and an inspiration for girls and boys to get into rugby.”

Welcome to World Cup Final Week! 🌏🏆

🆚 England
⏰ Sat 12 Nov, 7.30pm NZT
🏟 @edenparknz
📺 @sparknzsport & @ThreeNewZealand #RWC21 | #LikeABlackFern pic.twitter.com/h5KMlejXzO

— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) November 6, 2022

Michelle Hooper, the tournament director for the Rugby World Cup 2021, echoed the sentiment. 

“What we saw during the semifinals was arguably the greatest spectacle of international rugby this country has seen in a very long time,” she said. “Those two matches have had an immeasurable impact on the game that we may not see the true results of until generations to come, when young girls and boys will talk about those moments. What’s more, there’s still a week to go.

“We could not have written a better script than to have the host team, the Black Ferns, competing in a Rugby World Cup final for the first time ever at home in front of whānau and friends, and against the No. 1 team in the world – England.

“I know all New Zealanders and fans watching around the world share in my anticipation for next week, and we saw evidence of that immediately after the final whistle, when our ticketing system was almost at the brink in trying to keep up with demand. These teams deserve legendary support next Saturday, and we encourage fans to get together and get behind their team, host watch parties at home – or, if you’re lucky enough to be in the stadium, cheer on these wāhine as loud as you can for the final time this Rugby World Cup.”