Four thousand rugby-mad fans from 150 teams around the world have already signed up for the Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival in Sydney next year.
Air New Zealand's General Manager Direct Sales Leeanne Langridge says the volume of bookings and interest has been outstanding.
"This is the most number of participants we've ever had and we're still a year out from the event.
"The Golden Oldies Movement has continued to go from strength to strength since its inception in 1979 and we have always been delighted to support it. "
More than 6,000 players and supporters are expected once bookings close on 30 July 2010.
Teams from 11 countries around the world have so far signed up to participate, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, England, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland and USA.
The Festival will run from 26 September to 3 October 2010 and utilise more than 30 playing fields at Centennial Parklands over the three days of competition.
The last rugby festival was held in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2008 and was enjoyed by more than 3200 participants. It injected nearly 6.5 million pounds into the Scottish economy.
The Golden Oldies World Rugby Festivals, which began in 1979, have been held biennially in Auckland (2), Long Beach, Sydney, London, Toronto, Perth, Dublin, Christchurch, Vancouver, Cape Town, Adelaide, Toulouse, Brisbane, San Diego, Wellington and Edinburgh.
ENDS
Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs ph +64 9 336 2761
For more details on the 2010 Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival, visit www.goldenoldiessports.com.
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