TICKETS to the 2017 Golden Shears World Shearing and Wool Handling Championships in February at Invercargill New Zealand are on sale and the event organiser is encouraging people to get in early to secure a seat.

The New Zealand Shearing Foundation is hosting the event from February 9-11 2017 at ILT Stadium Southland, with competitors from more than 30 countries, including Australia, set to be welcomed.

Event manager Jade Gillies said organisers expected strong demand for “season tickets”, a three-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.”

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.”

Jade Gillies said there has been strong early interest from businesses keen to be a part of the Trade Expo with about 15 percent 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.

Australia’s 2017 world team picked in October

Australia’s team for the world titles will be picked at the 2016 National Shearing and Wool Handling Championships at Warialda in New South Wales on October 6-8.

More than 120 shearers and wool handlers from across Australia and New Zealand are expected to compete at the Warialda showgrounds at the championships.

The National Shearing and Wool Handling Championships is an annual event that rotates to various locations around the country, and is run by the Sports Shear Australia Association in conjunction with coordinating committees in each host town.