More than 10,000 tickets have been sold for the June 13 test between the All Blacks and France at Carisbrook.
After Friday's launch of the period during which fans south of the Waitaki may buy their tickets first, sales were at 10,006, the Otago Rugby Football Union said yesterday.
That equated to about 36% of capacity, with the ground now holding about 28,000 people.
At the same time last year - about seven weeks before the test - ticket sales were at 29%, the union said.
The most popular areas of the ground have been the main stand, which is 78% sold, the railway uncovered seating and the terrace seating area.
Tickets range from $40 for a regular terrace ticket to $120 for the prime sections of the main stand.
The "locals-first" period runs for another two weeks.
At the end of the corresponding time last year, just 500 tickets remained for the test against South Africa.
The ORFU is again running its club incentive, encouraging Otago-Southland clubs to register for tickets.
The leading three Dunedin clubs and each of the leading clubs in North Otago, Southland and Otago Country will get to field junior teams in the curtain-raiser at Carisbrook.
Excelsior and Kurow are leading the charge in North Otago, Woodlands is in front in Southland, and Clyde-Earnscleugh is ahead of Cromwell, Clutha and Clutha Valley in the Country.
Taieri, Pirates and Kaikorai lead the Dunedin section ahead of Southern and Alhambra-Union.
With confirmation the Awatea St stadium will be built, the clock is ticking on Carisbrook's future, and there is a chance this will be the last test played at the ground.
The All Blacks have never played France at Carisbrook and the test is the first meeting between the rivals since the World Cup quarterfinal in Cardiff in 2007.
