THE IRISH Rugby Football Union has defended an increase of just over 21 per cent on a stand ticket purchased as part of a four-match package for the upcoming Guinness autumn test match series at the Aviva Stadium.
A comparison with the package available for the same series at Croke Park in November 2009 shows an increase of €15 on a stand ticket.
Ireland played South Africa and Australia at Croke Park last year and a stand ticket bought in a two-game package cost €70.
This year a stand ticket purchased as part of Ireland’s four-test series against South Africa, Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in November will average €85.
These matches are priced individually with the cost of a stand ticket ranging from €100 for the matches against the Springboks and All Blacks to €90 for Argentina and €50 for the Samoan game.
The IRFU is distributing the tickets through the four provincial branches as a four-match package but the union confirmed that clubs and schools would have the scope to break down packages and sell tickets individually.
The most startling price hike is the 250 per cent increase from €10 to €35 for a schoolboy ticket using the November package comparison between this season and last.
A spokesman for the IRFU explained: “We have retained the same number of schoolboy tickets, approximately 2,000 despite the reduction in capacity moving from Croke Park to the Aviva Stadium.
“At Croke Park schoolboys were accommodated in the terrace whereas in the Aviva Stadium they will be in a covered, seated, secure area.”
He pointed out that the union had opted to retain the number of dedicated schoolboy tickets when it would have been financially more lucrative to reclassify a percentage as adult and generate a greater return.
A comparison in ticket prices in the same categories between last and this season’s Six Nations Championships reveals a 25 per cent increase in the price of a stand ticket (€75 to €100) and a four-fold increase for schoolboy tickets (€10 to €40).
In a statement, the IRFU said it was a not-for-profit organisation and was not in existence to produce a financial dividend to shareholders.
“Irish rugby is the only fully professional sport in Ireland and the only dividend that the IRFU produces is one of participation in sport.
“As such the Ireland team and international games in the Aviva Stadium need to produce a financial surplus that is then fully distributed throughout all levels of the game. This is needed to develop and nurture the future of the sport from the grassroots level upwards.
“The pricing of general entry tickets reflects the enhanced offering to patrons in the new Aviva Stadium with its modern design giving greater standards in terms of seating, views of the pitch as well as access to a greater number of concession stands, restaurants and bars.
“The premium-level ticket prices for games reflect the increased offering to supporters in terms of exclusive facilities within the premium area.”
The IRFU spokesman admitted that the union stands to make roughly the same in ticket revenue having switched from the 83,000-capacity Croke Park to the 50,000-seat Aviva, after the €1.3 million rent per match paid to the GAA for the use of Croke Park is taken into account.
The union said it was not equitable to compare its ticket prices with those of the Football Association of Ireland for international soccer matches or the GAA for All-Ireland hurling and football finals, as rugby was “the only fully professional sport in Ireland that had to fund every aspect of the game”.
Last year the FAI announced a price freeze on tickets for soccer internationals until 2012. Supporters can attend upcoming European Championship qualifying matches at the Aviva Stadium for €50-70 (stand) and €85 (premium).
Similarly, the GAA elected not to increase tickets prices this season for the football and hurling finals at Cork Park with stand tickets priced at €70 and those for the terrace at €35.
2010 Croke Park
Six Nations Championship Ticket prices.
Croke Park Package (three matches): Italy, Wales and Scotland.
Premium: €285
Stand: €225
Terrace: €105
Schools: €30
2011 Aviva Stadium
Six Nations Championship Ticket prices.
Aviva Stadium Package (two matches): France and England.
Premium: €250
Stand: €200
Schools: €80
2010 Aviva Stadium
Autumn Test series Ticket Prices
Aviva Stadium Package (four matches): South Africa,
New Zealand, Argentina, Samoa.
Premium: €125 (SA, NZ). €115 (Arg). €60 (Sam).
Four match package: €425
Stand: €100 (SA, NZ). €90 (Arg). €50 (Sam).
Four match package: €340
Schools: €40 (SA, NZ). €35 (Arg). €20 (Sam).
Four match package €135.
2009 Croke Park
Autumn Test series Ticket Prices
Croke Park Package (two matches): South Africa, Australia
Premium: €180
Stand: €140
Schools: €20
RDS Package (one match): Fiji.
Stand: €40/€32
Schools: €5
