ORGANISERS of the 2021 World Cup have hailed the success of rugby league’s first ever ticket ballot after revealing that 70 per cent of applications have come from people new to the game.

Tickets have been bought from 32 countries across five continents, including emerging markets in Brazil and Jamaica, while domestically feedback shows fans with a London postcode applied for the most tickets.

Not surprisingly, the opening match between England and Samoa at St James’ Park and the double-header final at Old Trafford on November 27 2021 are the most popular fixtures.