IRFU entice fans to internationals with Croke Park ticket price cuts

PREMIUM LEVEL Croke Park vantage point seats are being offered at cut-down value for Ireland’s six home internationals next season.

In a move seen to combat the global recession, the IRFU’s enticing ticketing packages are likely to ensure full houses at all their home international fixtures next season. However, no tickets will go on public sale or through the IRFU’s official website.

The normally exclusive premium level tickets are valued from as little as €90 per match, around the same price charged for a normal stand ticket during last season’s Six Nations matches against France and England at GAA headquarters.

That stand price was viewed as excessive, but now fans will be able to watch the best of southern hemisphere from the Hogan, Cusack or Davin Stands from as little as €70 per game.

Ireland play Australia, Fiji and world champions, South Africa, as part of their Autumn International Series in November and will then defend their RBS Six Nations Championship title with home games against Italy, Wales and Scotland in 2010.

The Australian and South African games have been packaged together ensuring fans will be able to watch both touring southern hemisphere teams make what will be their only appearance in Croke Park. Package prices for the Croke Park games start at €20 for Schools, €65 for terrace, €140 for stand and €180 for premium level seats.

The equally historic Fiji match will be available as a single ticket game in the RDS, which will be hosting its first ever rugby international and ticket prices start at €5 for schools and €32/€40 for stand.

The 2010 RBS Six Nations Championship games will be the last to be played in Croke Park before games return to the soon to be completed Aviva Stadium.

The games against Italy, Wales and Scotland are being packaged together and supporters can attend all three internationals with prices ranging from €30 for schools, €105 for terrace, €225 for stand and €285 for premium level seats.

All ticket packages for the Ireland home games in the Guinness Series and 2010 RBS Six Nations Championship will be distributed through the provincial branches who will in turn distribute them to the clubs and schools of Ireland.

Ireland Home International Ticket Packages and Prices Season 2009-10: Guinness Series 2009 Ticket Package (two games): Ireland v Australia and South Africa: Premium €180; Stand €140; Terrace €65; Schools €20.

Ireland v Fiji (one game): Stand €40; Stand €32; Schools €5.

RBS Six Nations Championship 2010 Ticket Package (three games): Ireland v Italy, Wales and Scotland: Premium €285; Stand €225; Terrace €105; Schools €30.