Fans will be able to purchase cut-price tickets to games at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but the cheapest seat at the final will set punters back just over $A300.

Organising chief executive Martin Snedden said setting ticket prices for the tournament was a real balancing act.

Tickets for the 48 games across 13 venues will go on general sale in April 2010, starting at $NZ15 ($A11) for children and $NZ30 ($A23) for adults at pool matches.

Tickets for the final however will start at $NZ390 ($A304), with the top price at $NZ1250 ($A976), a price Snedden described as comparable with major international sporting events.

A payment plan would also be available for the first time.

Snedden said prices reflected the status of rugby World Cup as one of the world's largest sports events while at the same time trying to make the event accessible for the New Zealand and global public.

He said the process of setting prices was a balancing exercise between achieving budgets and also making tickets affordable for as many New Zealanders as possible.

Ticket prices for the 2007 World Cup in France were used as a guide for 2011.

"Although tickets for knockouts and major pool matches are expensive by New Zealand standards, we have been able to price two-thirds of matches at or below existing test match prices," Snedden said.

"We're conscious that ticket prices for some matches will be well beyond what Kiwis are used to paying, so we are introducing a payment plan that will allow those who pay for their tickets on a credit or debit card to be able to do so in instalments."

Ticket-scalping will incur a fine of $NZ5000 under a new law created for the Rugby World Cup, Snedden said.

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