Hordes of fervent British and Irish Lions fans may await New Zealand's provincial rugby sides after thousands of local fans turned down the chance to buy tickets.

Figures released yesterday show that nearly 60,000 tickets to the Lions' eight non-test tour matches remain unsold after the New Zealand Rugby Union's ballot.

The NZRU will make a final offer to ballot participants, but most of those tickets will go on public sale on May 2, opening the way for British fans to fill the grounds.

While only 3941 tickets remain unsold for the Wellington Lions match at Westpac Stadium on June 15, and just 4386 to the Auckland game, other provinces have not been so well supported.

Otago, Southland and Bay of Plenty will be concerned about the make up of their "home" crowd. There are 12,920 seats left for the Lions match at Carisbrook , 9389 for the match at Rugby Park Stadium in Invercargill and 9184 for the match at Rotorua International Stadium.

With some tickets already allocated to Lions tour packages Rugby Park Stadium with a capacity of just 19,800, Rotorua (30,000) and Carisbrook (30,000) could potentially have more visiting fans than locals.

In New Plymouth there are still 8907 unsold seats and in Palmerston North 6455.

But NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said the main objectives of the ballot had been achieved including ensuring parochial crowds at the three test matches.

"We're not selling test tickets. The tests were the big concern around that issue and they are sold out. But it turns out there's plenty of room around the provincial union games for the Lions supporters to attend matches."

Tew admitted some of the figures were disappointing. "We've been saying all along they are a bit below our expectations especially in Southland and Otago. We wouldn't have been surprised to sell out the Auckland and Wellington games, but at the same time we're not surprised we didn't."

He said the jury was out on whether the union would consider using the ballot system again. "We've gone to some trouble to use the ballot to reward people in the rugby community and to spread the opportunity around the country, so we're satisfied that it's been a fair and transparent process.

"But it may not have been worthwhile in terms of the extra effort and costs. A more detailed review will be needed."

Meanwhile, Tew was surprised by suggestions that the unsold tickets to the New Zealand Maori-Lions match at Waikato Stadium on June 11 would not go on public sale.

There are 4571 tickets left, but Waikato Rugby Union marketing manager Pat Mellsop said the ballot leftovers would be given to the Waikato union's online supporters club.

"We've already given the rugby community the opportunity through the ballot to get tickets.

"I am not aware of any of those discussions," Tew said.

By TOBY ROBSON