Munster’s season ticket sales slide

MUNSTER’S season ticket sales have plummeted by 15% at a time when the other three provinces are reporting an increase in sales.

The champions begin the defence of the Celtic League crown this weekend when they take on Newport Gwent Dragons in the opening game of the RaboDirect Pro12 but there will be less people in Musgrave Park and Thomond Park this season unless sales pick up.

Unlike the other three provinces, Munster have for many years sold their Heineken Cup tickets separately so this may be a factor in their sales dropping.

The biggest change is in Connacht where there is a whopping increase of 660% with 2,851 tickets sold compared to 375 last year. The attraction of Heineken Cup action for the first time, especially the visit of Toulouse, is a key factor.

“People know the only way they will be able to guarantee entry to the Heineken Cup games in the Sportsground is by buying a season ticket and we have set a new target of 3,000,” said Jimmy Staunton, chairman of the recently formed Professional Game Board, who now oversee Eric Elwood’s side.

Heineken Cup champions Leinster report an increase of 6% in sales, with 13,214 sold so far, an increase of 754 on the 12,460 which were sold last year.

“Ticket prices have remained the same and the staging of the games against Munster and Bath in the Aviva Stadium will further boost attendances. We are very pleased with sales in the current environment and the great support we receive,” said a Leinster spokesperson.

Ulster also report an increase with season ticket sales increasing by 3.7% from 3,500 last year to 3,635 so far this year.

The sale of tickets in Munster is more complex with separate season tickets sold for RaboDirect games in Thomond Park and Musgrave Park, but both are showing a sharp drop.

It is expected, though, that demand will exceed supply for Heineken Cup tickets which are sold through the clubs of Munster and the Munster Rugby Supporters Club.

Last year Munster sold 13,278 league season tickets for Thomond Park. This year 11,299 have been sold to date, a drop of 1,979 tickets or just under 15%.

The sales for Musgrave Park follow a similar trend with 5,989 tickets last year being sold compared to 5,255 this year, a reduction of 734 or 12%.

It is estimated that 3,000 supporters have season tickets for both venues.

Glyn Billinghurst, Munster sales and marketing manager, said that the drop in sales reflected the economic situation and also a trend they noticed last year in an increase in the walk-up crowd.

“Through last season and our pre-season matches over the last couple of weeks we saw a change in habits with customers purchasing tickets later and up to 5,000 tickets being purchased in the week of the match,” he said.