More than half the tickets to rock star David Bowie's 35,000 seat concert in Wellington have sold out, only 24 hours after going on sale on Thursday.

Westpac Stadium had sold 20,000 tickets yesterday, including all 3000 premium tickets at $175 each.

Stadium marketing manager Steven Thompson said the speed with which the tickets had been sold bolded well for the British star's February 14 show.

Online-only tickets went on sale last Sunday. By Wednesday more than 9000 had been sold, breaking records for online ticket sales to a one-only rock concert in New Zealand, Mr Thompson said.

Robbie Williams, who appeared at the stadium in 2001, had 4165 tickets sold online and 3740 were sold for the Bruce Springsteen concert in Auckland earlier this year.

Tickets to Bowie's show cost either $96 for a "gold" seat in the stand or part of the pitch, or $175 for premium "diamond" seat on the pitch closer to the stage.

"Ticket sales are where we wanted them to be" Mr Thompson said.

"If we get a sellout that's great because it gives the promoter the confidence to bring other major acts to New Zealand for one-only concerts, which is what this city wants and we want".

Melbourne-based promoter Paul Dainty also unveiled details of the concert stage to be set up on the stadium's western side. The 30 metre long stage will be surrounded by three big video screens and will incorporate a hi-tech sound system and lighting.