Tickets to Rugby World Cup matches will be available in three waves, starting next month.

Rugby New Zealand announced the sale structure this afternoon, which starts on Tuesday April 27 – exactly 500 days until the start of the tournament.

In the first phase, which runs until May 21, 750,000 tickets will be released. Fans need to apply for venue pool packs (pool matches at a chosen venue) and team pool packs (tickets for all pool matches for a chosen team).

The second phase – expected in August of September - will allow individual tickets for all matches except the semi-finals and final and the third features a ballot system for entry to the semi-finals and final.

The ballot system will be open to those who bought tickets in the first and second phase and any remaining tickets will go on general sale next year.

For a $25 service fee, fans can pay off their packs in monthly installments over six months.

Fans can apply online by visiting www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets.

RNZ said the festival programme, on the www.nz2011.govt.nz website, would eventually grow to about 1000 events around the country and an official launch is planned for September this year.