New Zealand's ambition to secure a second NRL team has received a significant boost, as the new stadium in Christchurch is poised to be the first venue to sell out during this year's World Cup.
On Wednesday, officials announced the release of an additional 1,000 tickets for the October 25 double-header, which features the men's game between New Zealand and the Cook Islands, followed by the women's match between the Kiwi Ferns and France. This date was previously sold out.
Ticket sales for the tournament have skyrocketed, with over 140,000 tickets sold so far, surpassing previous tournaments. Christchurch is one of multiple potential cities in New Zealand for a 20th team, which could launch as soon as 2029, with Wellington and Hamilton also in consideration.
A fifth club from Queensland is another possibility. "It's obviously a matter for the ARLC, but any investment internationally is a boom for the international game," said International League chair Troy Grant to AAP.
"Vegas has got nothing to do with us really, but the boom we get internationally just off the back of Vegas as domestic premiership stuff. So anything the NRL does abroad, or globally, has flow-on massive benefits for the international game. I don't recall international league, outside the Kangaroo tours of the '80s and early '90s, ever having this much interest throughout a season.
"This much discussion, talking points, and competitiveness has never been seen before. Everything the NRL is doing under Peter V'Landys' leadership is hitting the mark."
These ticket sales come after the Warriors managed to sell out 41 of their 46 home matches since being exiled from New Zealand during the pandemic.
A match at the new One New Zealand Stadium attracted 25,325 fans in June and sold out within just five days. "It's full credit to (chief executive) Cameron George and the Warriors team over there," Grant remarked.
"They've been fantastic ambassadors for the game that help create momentum domestically. I'd probably say we used to have a fractured domestic league scene over there, but now everyone is pulling in the same direction. Under Justin Leydesdorff's chairmanship, New Zealand Rugby League is advancing to new levels."
The Pacific rise is also evident, with the Tonga and Samoa match at CommBank Stadium on November 1 edging toward a sell-out, along with the final at Suncorp Stadium on November 15.
"The only question about Tonga and Samoa is whether the stadium will be more red or blue," said Grant. "Let's see who is really more passionate between those titans."
Nations must submit 40-player squads by Friday for the IRL and NRL to verify eligibility and integrity before finalizing the squads to 23 players on October 6. Players can be included in different countries' preliminary squads and must decide who they want to represent over the following month.
There are ongoing questions regarding the Fainu brothers' eligibility, with the Wests Tigers trio needing to provide additional documentation to play for Fiji.