Admission prices have dropped for next year’s Wellington Sevens after slower ticket sales and alcohol-related issues dogged this year’s rugby tournament.

Tickets, which used to sell out within minutes of going on sale, were still available on the first day in early February.

Organisers have this year dropped prices to $NZ195 ($A181.54) for general admission over two days compared with $NZ209 last year, while children’s tickets will cost $NZ40 instead of $NZ59.

One-day tickets won’t be available at all.

Tournament general manager Marty Donoghue says a survey of more than 3000 fans after this year’s event presented a positive picture overall.

“However, two areas we have chosen to enhance relate to price, and an increase in the entertainment that runs alongside the rugby.”

Organisers want to get the balance right between on-field action and entertainment off it, after police said there were too many drunk people at the two-day event.

Almost 400 patients were treated at Wellington Hospital’s emergency department, despite organisers developing an alcohol management strategy with police.

Police arrested 20 people over the two days, while 270 were removed from the stadium.

Westpac Stadium chief executive Shane Harmon says the higher numbers of ejections and arrests reflected a tougher stance on alcohol.

Donoghue said the tournament expects to be granted a special liquor licence this year, and would continue to work closely with police and Westpac Stadium.

The Wellington Sevens faces competition from rugby league’s Auckland Nines, which attracted 90,000 spectators to its inaugural tournament a week after the Wellington event.

Police say they arrested five people and evicted 29 people from Eden Park.