Despite the semi-final not being a sell-out and tickets still being available, Crusaders' management are confident of a full house for the Super Rugby final on Saturday.
Crusaders head coach, Scott Robertson doing the victory dance during the 2017 Super Rugby Final match. Photo: Photosport
The Crusaders will face off against the South African Lions tomorrow night, but the competition has already faced its fair share of controversy over seat sales - and (as of last night) tickets are still available for the final.
But Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said he expected this final to be a sell-out, with, as of last night, only a few hundred seats left.
"They are looking really good - we will sell this game out.
"They are still steadily going out the door, so I'm really confident we will have a full house on Saturday night."
This is first time a super rugby final has been held in Christchurch for a decade.
But the issue of ticket sales proving to be a thorn in the side of what has been a successful Crusaders campaign.
Previous games - including last week's semi-final - were far from selling out.
Some of Christchurch's rugby scene are blaming the current temporary stadium for driving away punters.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen waded into the debate this week over the proposed new Christchurch stadium, and said the city needed it as soon as possible.
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said she hoped the game would completely sell out.
"It wasn't a sell out for the semi-final ... but ... it was a great game ... the atmosphere was absolutely electric."
After the final Mr Riach will be trading game plans for district plans at the Ashburton District Council as its new chief executive.
Mr Riach has led the franchise for 17 years. He wanted to leave the organisation in good shape.
"There are always challenges, there is the competition commentary over how Super Rugby is structured.
"We have talked endlessly about the need for Christchurch to have an arena or stadium to be proud of."
Kick-off is at 7.35pm tomorrow. MetService said there was a chance of rain.