Scots freeze Six Nations prices

The Scottish Rugby Union has frozen ticket prices for the 2007 RBS 6 Nations Championship while reducing admission fees for the visit of Italy.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden guided the team to notable wins over France and England at Murrayfield this year.

And now the governing body are aiming to build on that success and the Saturday afternoon starts for games against Wales, Ireland and the Italians.

SRU chief executive Gordon McKie said: “Over 70% of the revenue we need to fund the sport is generated through the Scotland brand, mostly at these home internationals.

“So it would be tempting, particularly with our current core debt, to increase ticket prices. That happened in the past but it won’t happen this time.

“I recognise how important it is to listen to as many stakeholders as possible and we do try to take on board their feedback, despite the financial climate in which we operate. Value for money prices will hopefully encourage our various supporters to keep coming back.

“Our research also tells us it is not so much what the top price on offer is, rather how affordable the bottom prices are, that makes all the difference.”

Prices for the games against Ireland and Wales will start at £30 (€44) while the Italy game will see admission begin at £20 (€29) with concessions available for under-18s.

The ticketing policy follows the favourable pricing for the Autumn Test series where the games against Romania, Pacific Islanders and Australia.

McKie added: “We have already announced our ticket pricing for the 2006 Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests against Romania, Pacific Islanders and Australia in November.

“Supporters can attend all three of these games this November for a total of just £30 (€44). Between that structure and our decision to freeze ticket prices for the most popular of our home Six Nations internationals, I believe price barriers to attend Murrayfield matches are being brought down radically.

“The RBS 6 Nations fixtures have dealt us a good hand, as all our home games are on Saturday afternoons.”