Ticket sale bonanza for Croke Park authorities

A MAXIMUM attendance in Croke Park of 80,000 for a European Championship or Six Nations match would generate millions in ticket sales, but how much exactly?

Going on last year, if the IRFU charges €70 per ticket for a sell-out they’ll generate over €5.5 million, or €3 million more than they would earn at Lansdowne Road. The FAI can expect to generate over €4.5 million if, as expected, they charge €60-€65 per ticket.

The GAA are likely to seek at least €1.25 million in rent per game, which will give them a take of €6.25 million from the five games scheduled for 2007 - two Six Nations clashes and three outings in the European Championship qualifiers. That cuts the FAI and IRFU take to €3.25 million and €4.25 respectively.