Rugby Ticket Price Hikes May Undermine IRFU Work - Upton

Friday, 20 August 2010 16:25

Written by Stephen Davis

The Labour Party Spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport, Deputy Mary Upton, has criticised the increased prices announced by the IRFU for the Autumn Test and Six Nations matches at the new Aviva Stadium.

Deputy Upton said that the increased prices ran the risk of undermining the good work done by the IRFU in trying to extend the appeal of rugby in areas and communities where the game has not traditionally been played.

The Killimer native continued: “An increase of 21% in ticket prices is simply not justified in the depths of an economic recession when people across virtually all sections of society are experiencing a drop in incomes. This at least seems to have been recognised by the GAA who have decided not to increase prices for the All Ireland Finals and the FAI who have announced a prize freeze for internationals until 2012.

“Apart from the basic increase in ticket prices, the decision to require people (other than those getting their tickets through a club) to buy a package of four tickets for the autumn series and two tickets for the six nations will discourage the casual fan and discriminate against those living in areas where there are no rugby clubs. For a family of four the cost of buying tickets for all four autumn internationals through the IRFU website would be more than €1,300. This will be simply unaffordable for many families in the current economic climate.

“The increase in the schoolboy ticket from €10 to €40 for the six nation matches seems particularly excessive. The successes over recent years at international level and in the Heineken Cup have greatly increased the appeal of rugby in this country, both in terms of those who want to watch and those who want to play it. It would be a great pity if the new pricing structure deprived people from low income areas of the opportunity of seeing live international rugby.

“I would urge the rugby authorities to review the pricing structure and I would also call upon the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin, to raise this matter with the IRFU, who along with the FAI, received very substantial financial support from the taxpayer to allow the Aviva stadium to be built", Deputy Upton concluded.