Fan value: how we compare?
PROFESSIONAL rugby boasts a number of enviable selling points when it comes to pulling in the punters.
The game is cresting a wave with the success of the provinces and national team and Leinster and Munster can promise a guaranteed number of fixtures year after year thanks to the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup.
The GAA, with its convoluted and uncertain fixture list, can only dream of such a starting point. The Airtricity League does offer a similar level of certainty thanks to a defined fixture list but the domestic soccer league lags light years behind in the quality on offer on the pitch.
With that in mind, it is no surprise that season tickets are proving so popular with the rugby brigade and Leinster are already reporting that many of the categories for 2011/12 tickets have already sold out.
The European champions boast over 13,000 holders who gain access to all PRO12 home games, as well as three Heineken Cup pool matches, for packages ranging in price from €659 to €259. That includes any of those games transferred to the Aviva Stadium.
Munster’s season package is more flexible in that fans can fork out anything between €190 and €375 but that figure, which is for games in both Limerick and Cork, does not include the three European pool fixtures.
Anyone wishing to attend Heineken Cup fixtures in Thomond Park must be a full member of the Munster Supporters Club — or join the waiting list — or be a member of an officially affiliated club in the province.
Supporters planning on taking in just one Munster PRO12 fixture at Thomond Park could spend anything between €35.50 and €57 for a ticket, match programme, cup of tea and a burger and chips.
There are no concrete figures for food and drink in the RDS, which houses a number of independent food outlets on match day, but the equivalent spend for a Leinster game at the Aviva Stadium would be similar.
The most expensive ticket for a single Leinster game costs €60 but that would secure a seat on the halfway line at the Aviva Stadium where a tea/coffee, chips and burger would add up to anything between €11.50 and €13, slightly more than in Limerick.
The ketchup is free.
By John Fogarty
SINCE its introduction in 2009, the GAA season ticket has developed into a resounding success, providing true Gaelic games supporters with affordable and discounted access to their favourite team’s league and championship games.
The scheme has been extended in the past couple of years and is set to grow as more people avail of the opportunity to see their team play at least eight times for €75 followed by guaranteed and cut admission fees.
Also, the decision to cut the price of all tickets to All-Ireland qualifiers to the All-Ireland semi-finals by €5 was roundly welcomed although it was tempered somewhat by admission to September’s finals going up by €10 to €80 for an adult stand ticket.
Croke Park remains the GAA’s star attraction. Ten-year premium tickets work out at €1,200 per annum but it’s in the All-Ireland series packages where the GAA have come up trumps.
In hurling, the Association put together a deal including All-Ireland quarter-final day and two of the semi-finals for €80.
In football, supporters were offered entry to the All-Ireland quarter-final weekend and the semi-finals for €90.
In one of the combo deals, admission to a quarter-final and the corresponding semi-final in one code together is €55.
“We pride ourselves on offering more value for money than in any other sporting venue in the city,” said stadium director Peter McKenna.
“The pint at Croke Park is under €5 unlike elsewhere and all our prices reflected the VAT reduction from the weekend after it was announced. All of our suppliers are Irish and our potatoes and vegetables are sourced in Ireland. Our programmes are tremendous value.
“There are also many days when children gain admission for free but what we’re doing is not something we’re smug about either. We’re constantly checking to give value for money.”
The GAA museum at Croke Park (€30 for a family) also provides an added attraction while there have been major attempts this year to add to the match-day experience.
“We are enhancing it all the time,” said Croke Park’s Julie Manahan. “Last weekend we started the fan zones and they’ve been really successful.
“Supporters can get their photos taken with Sam and Liam and the demand was incredible.”
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