News
Tickets to the world’s biggest shearing and wool handling extravaganza are now on sale, with organisers – the New Zealand Shearing Foundation – encouraging people to get in early to secure a seat.
The world’s elite wool industry athletes will converge on Invercargill in the far south of New Zealand in February for the Golden Shears World Shearing and Wool Handling Championships. New Zealand is hosting the event from February 9-11 2017 at ILT Stadium Southland, with competitors from more than 30 countries set to be welcomed.
Event manager Jade Gillies said organisers expected strong demand for “season tickets”, a 3-day all areas pass to the stadium for $125.
“The atmosphere inside ILT Stadium Southland will be white hot as the world’s best compete for world titles.”
Gillies said tickets for all six sessions are now available to purchase for the three-day spectacle, which will also include a Wool and Trade Expo showcasing the best of New Zealand’s sheep and wool-related products, as well as top entertainers from throughout the south.
Five-time world champion shearer and Shearing Sports New Zealand chairman Sir David Fagan, said it was all hands on deck as organisers reached another important milestone in the lead-up to the event.
“We’re excited to see the number of countries already registering to compete, and encourage everyone to get along and give our international visitors an experience they will talk about for years”.
Gillies said there had been strong early interest from businesses keen to be a part of the Trade Expo with about 15 per cent of spaces being snapped up in the first week of promotion.
“We’re delighted to be able to offer businesses an opportunity to celebrate the many innovative products and services which are associated with the wool industry.”
For ticket information go to www.worldshearingchamps.com
Tickets can also be purchased from ILT Stadium Southland and all TicketDirect outlets.
Competitors from about 30 countries are expected with teams coming from Australia, England, South Africa, Japan, USA, Chile and Mongolia already confirmed.
About 4500 sheep will come through the stadium as the venue is transformed into one of the world’s largest woolsheds.
At a glance:
Golden Shears World Shearing and Wool Handling Championships February 9-11 2017
Where: Invercargill (main centre in Southland region) – population 51,696 (Southland region population 93,339);
About: Invercargill is on the Southern Scenic Route and is the gateway to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery and destinations including the Southland heartland, Stewart Island, Fiordland and the Catlins.
By the numbers:
30 – home countries of competitors
4500 – estimated number of sheep
About 6000 – estimated visitors/spectators
29.8 million – estimated number of sheep in New Zealand
4.3 million – estimated number of sheep in Southland