Predictions are for a crowd of 8000-9000 for the game between the teams sitting fourth and fifth on the ladder.
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said it was a massive game and the interest in tickets was reflecting that.
''Our pre-sales are looking really positive. We are at over 5000 already and all the commercial sale areas have been sold,'' Clark said.
''That sort of number for down there is really positive this far out. And a lot of those tickets sold have been to Dunedin and Central Otago people so there is still some more to come from the people of Invercargill.
''The pre-sales for this game are the best I've ever heard of for down there ... but the most important thing for the Highlanders and the fans is they win.''
The weather will undoubtedly have a big impact on the walk-up crowd and, although it is hard to get a read on the conditions this far out, rain is forecast.
The Highlanders will travel down to Invercargill on Friday and will do a couple of promotion events for the game. They will also visit junior rugby on Saturday morning before the match at night.
Although a crowd of up to 9000 is a good turnout for Invercargill, it would be dwarfed if the match was held at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Highlanders have enjoyed good attendances at the covered stadium this year, with no crowd under 10,000, and an average turnoutof more than 13,000.
Games between New Zealand teams traditionally draw the biggest crowds and, with so much on the line, a big turnout would be expected if the game was played in Dunedin.
The stadium is unavailable as it is being used for matches for the Fifa Under-20 World Cup.
Clark said the stadium was caught between a rock and a hard place trying to chase events.
''Things happen, and the stadium has to get events. This year is a bit of a different year. That is why we are going to play in Napier next week.
''If we were going to play the Hurricanes in Wellington then they would get a much bigger crowd.''
The Cricket World Cup and the football tournament made it challenging to get all games scheduled.
Games this weekend will be played in Nelson and Invercargill, while games will take place in Napier and New Plymouth in the coming weeks.
The Highlanders last played in Invercargill in 2013, when they were beaten 36-19 by the Cheetahs. They have won 11 of 17 games in the city since first playing there in 1996.
The squad arrived back from Perth yesterday morning and has today off before starting training again tomorrow.
