Family friendly Munster alter ticketing strategy to pull in fans

MUNSTER Rugby, one of the country’s blue chip sporting brands, is the latest organisation to incentivise ticket pricing in a bid to shore up paying supporters.

The province have reduced the most popular Magners League tickets by over 14% for next season and introduced three family ticket packages.

The two largest categories of Magners League tickets, Terrace and Category B seated, have been reduced in Musgrave Park and Thomond Park by 14.3% and 9.1% respectively, with Category B now priced at €30 and terrace tickets reduced to €20. These two ticket categories accounting for over 70% of available Magners League tickets.

Munster are also targeting families with a three-tiered pricing strategy — the existing terrace Family Pack (two adults and two children) has been reduced by €10 to €40 per match. Going the season ticket route reduces the cost to €34.40 per family per match.

Two new types of family ticket — trialled successfully this season, will be introduced for the 2011/12 season. The Category B seated ‘Family Pack’ (two adults and two children) costing €80 per match and an adult and child Category B Seat costing €40 per match, will be introduced — both will be available as season tickets.

Admitted Munster marketing chief Glyn Billinghurst: “We felt it important to review our Magners League pricing, bearing in mind the current economic climate and financial pressures that we are all under. We also wanted to establish a family ticket.

“We are also looking to provide our Ten Year Ticket Holders and Munster Rugby Supporters Club Members with a range of additional exclusive ticket offers. Further details of these will be available as we get closer to the new season.”

He said supporters can avail of 20%-plus discounts on individual match prices by purchasing season tickets through the Munster Clubs or the Munster Rugby Supporters Club. The Munster Rugby Supporters Club 2011/12 Membership opens in the month of April for the 2011/12 Season www.mrsc.ie. Supporters can also contact 021-4323563.

Meanwhile Paddy Wallace and Tom Court will return to the Ulster starting line-up for Friday’s Magners League clash with Aironi at Ravenhill.

ULSTER squad v Aironi): Forwards: J Cronin, D Fitzpatrick, P McAllister, T Court, B Young, N Brady, A Kyriacou, N McComb, J Muller, capt, T Barker, P Wannenburg, TJ Anderson, W Faloon, C Henry, R Diack. Backs: R Pienaar, P Marshall, I Humphreys, N O’Connor, P Wallace, I Whitten, N Spence, D Cave, L Marshall, A Trimble, S Danielli, T Seymour, C Gilroy, J Smith, A D’Arcy.