MasterCard Cardholders double RWC Finals Chances

Auckland, 30 March, 2010 – MasterCard cardholders who apply for Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) tickets with their MasterCard cards will have double entries into the ballots for the opportunity to secure tickets to the semi-finals and the Final.

Tournament Organiser, Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011) unveiled its ticketing policy for the seventh Rugby World Cup in Auckland yesterday. Tickets to the semi-final and Final matches are being made available through a ballot process open to fans who have already applied for tickets for the earlier matches. MasterCard cardholders will enjoy double entry into the ballot for the option to purchase the semi-finals and Final tickets as long as they have used their MasterCard cards to apply for any Team or Venue Pool Packs, or individual tickets.

A special RWC 2011 MasterCard Prepaid card [1] has also been launched today to commemorate the event. The card program is launched in collaboration with ANZ Bank in New Zealand and will provide all Rugby fans with access to a range of privileges when visiting New Zealand for RWC 2011.

Rugby fans can visit www.mastercard.co.nz/rwc2011 to find out more about the MasterCard privileges around RWC 2011 and the RWC 2011 MasterCard ANZ Prepaid card.

“As a longstanding sponsor of the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby team and through our campaigns with them, we have experienced Kiwis’ love for the sport. We are glad that through MasterCard’s sponsorship of Rugby World Cup 2011 and our exclusive ticketing incentive, we are offering Rugby fans the chance to take advantage of MasterCard’s privileges and enjoy the game they love,” said Eddie Grobler, executive vice president, Australasia, MasterCard Worldwide.

“The RWC 2011 MasterCard ANZ Prepaid card is an easy, hassle-free way for all Kiwis to double their chances to be at the semi-finals and the Final, as well as enjoy all privileges and benefits that MasterCard will be offering for and at the Tournament,” he added.

Rugby World Cup 2011 is being held in New Zealand for the first time since the inaugural event in 1987. Teams representing 20 nations will compete in 48 matches across 13 host cities during September and October. The semi-final and Final matches will take place in Auckland’s historic Eden Park on 15–16 October 2011 and 23 October 2011, respectively.

[1] Terms, conditions, minimum age and fees apply and are available at http://anz.co.nz/rwc2011prepaid. A copy of the current Disclosure Statement published by ANZ National Bank Limited may be obtained on request from any ANZ branch.

About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 22 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercard.com. Follow us on Twitter:@mastercardnews.

MasterCard & Rugby World Cup 2011
MasterCard Worldwide is a Worldwide Partner and the official payment system of Rugby World Cup 2011. The company leverages the platform to further deliver shareholder value by creating exclusive business-building opportunities for its customer financial institutions, while building MasterCard brand affinity by offering priceless experiences to MasterCard cardholders. As part of its agreement, MasterCard secures a comprehensive rights and benefits package that allows the company to deliver value to customer financial institutions, merchants and cardholders, including the ability to access “Priceless” experiences linked to Rugby World Cup 2011.
Rugby World Cup is the crown jewel of the sport and a prominent global property – with television coverage of Rugby World Cup 2007 spanning more than 200 territories, reaching a cumulative audience of 4 billion viewers. Rugby World Cup 2011 is being held in New Zealand for the first time since the inaugural event in 1987. Teams representing 20 nations will compete in 48 matches across 13 host cities between 9 September and 23 October 2011.
Beyond its expertise in world-class sponsorship marketing, MasterCard also has a rich heritage of supporting the sport of Rugby in the host country. Over the past six years MasterCard has been a sponsor of the New Zealand All Blacks team.

TM © Rugby World Cup Limited 2008.

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