Clubs off hook over tickets bill

THE IRFU have made a complete u-turn on earlier threats to force clubs to pay for unsold tickets from the November internationals.

Following a collapse in ticket sales during the November series, clubs were told they would have to foot the financial burden. However, IRFU chief executive Philip Browne admitted their policy was wrong and called for a review.

The findings, released yesterday, recommended two key changes that branches and clubs would not be asked to pay for tickets they could not sell from the November matches and a new ticketing distribution and sales system be established.

“In endorsing the recommendations of the working party, the union committee has taken the decision that it would be both impractical and counterproductive to the IRFU’s core aims to seek payment in respect of unsold tickets from branches/clubs,” Browne said.

“The Union has undertaken to review ticketing pricing and marketing strategy for home international matches on an ongoing basis. The committee of the union also agrees that it is imperative that a revised ticketing sales, distribution and payment system be put in place to guard against future potential losses relating to ticketing.”

An online ticketing system will be available to clubs for the Guinness Summer Series in August and is currently under trial. Schemes will also be introduced to encourage clubs to take up their full allocation while tickets will now only be given out after they have been paid for.

“For the IRFU to fulfil its role and obligations to protect and develop Irish rugby in the long term, maximising attendances should be the first priority in order to protect the union’s financial strength and in turn its ability to provide financial support to the Irish rugby family across the board,” added Browne.

“A new ticketing structure will also provide the union with clear, up to the minute information about sales.”