Dunedin rugby fans could watch next year's Rugby World Cup final in 3D on a big screen at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, or from the comfort of a cinema seat.
Auckland-based production company 3D Live is in talks with tournament officials to secure the rights to broadcast the tournament's semifinals and final in 3D.
3D Live managing director Ronel Schodt said it was hoped a deal could allow matches to be screened at indoor venues in Dunedin and Queenstown, as well as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Initial talks had been held with staff from Dunedin Venues Management Ltd - which will operate the city's new indoor stadium once completed - about screening the matches at the stadium, she said.
The company was also negotiating with a cinema chain in New Zealand about a possible deal to screen the matches in 3D at its cinemas.
"We have put in a proposal with a cinema chain and some public areas where we are going to be screening it. That's where we are at the moment.
"We are trying really hard because we think it will be an amazing experience for New Zealanders," she said.
Mrs Schodt would not name the chain, and both Rialto Cinemas and Hoyts Cinemas New Zealand staff confirmed they were planning to add new 3D technology to their Dunedin cinemas ahead of the tournament.
Hoyts Cinemas New Zealand general manager Brian Eldridge, of Auckland, said he understood Hoyts staff in Australia were in discussions with 3D Live staff to screen the matches at its New Zealand and Australian cinemas.
Negotiations were complex, but it was looking "fairly certain" a 3D broadcast would proceed, he said.
If a deal was confirmed, Hoyts would screen the matches in 3D at its cinemas around New Zealand, including Dunedin, he said.
The Octagon cinema already had 3D technology but would be upgraded, with a new $30,000 satellite dish added before the tournament to receive a live feed, he said.
Rialto marketing executive Michelle Bethell, of Auckland, said the company also planned to add 3D technology to its Moray Pl cinema "in the near future", but could not comment on plans for the rugby tournament.
Mrs Schodt said no deal had yet been reached, with her staff testing camera rigs at Eden Park to see if the 3D broadcasts could proceed.
However, there were some concerns about seating being lost to make room for extra cameras.
Decisions about who would receive the broadcast, if it proceeded, were also yet to be made, she said.
"All those things need to be sorted out before we can announce anything."
A DVML spokeswoman confirmed initial talks had been held with 3D Live staff, but these remained at an early stage, she said.
Yesterday, the Dominion Post newspaper reported Wellington's Embassy theatre - owned by Event Cinemas - was also being upgraded and could screen 3D rugby matches.
Rugby World Cup Ltd tournament director Kit McConnell is overseas and could not be contacted yesterday, but in February he told the Dominion Post the International Rugby Board would need to decide whether there was sufficient space at grounds for the extra cameras required for 3D screenings.
