Rugby:The IRFU will introduce family tickets for the first time in next season's Six Nations matches at the Aviva Stadium while reducing ticket prices in other parts of the ground. Prices will start from €30, with the dearest premium level tickets costing €105.
The new structure sees each of next year's home games against Wales, Scotland and Italy having an individual pricing structure, with Wales the dearest and Italy the cheapest. Price cuts across the 25,000 tickets in the four categories of stand tickets range from just under 18 per cent for the Wales game to just under 33 per cent for the Italy game.
The games against England and France, a double-header that always attracts huge demand, were priced at between €50 and €90 across the four categories last year. Next year they will range from €40 to €75 against Wales; €35 to €65 against Scotland and €30 to €55 for the Italy game.
The new pricing structure comes after a comprehensive review of both ticket prices and distribution systems was undertaken by consultants Deloitte Sport UK. Previous pricing structures had been widely criticised as not reflecting the ongoing economic situation in Ireland, with fans reluctant to buy multi-game packages for the autumn internationals and Six Nations games.
The opening game against Wales on February 5th game is the most expensive, with adult tickets ranging in price from €20 for a category four restricted view seat to €105 for premium level. The price range for the Scotland game on March 10th are €17.50 to €90 and the Italy game on February 25th go from €15 to €75.
There are two categories of family ticket, which are for one adult and one child. The category four packages range in price from €45 for the Italy game to €60 for the Wales game, while category three tickets are set at €60 and €82.50 respectively for the two games.
Outside of premium level, the most expensive stand tickets are category one for the Wales game at €75. The same ticket will cost €65 for the visit of Scotland and €55 for the Italy game.
At present, there are no multi-game packages on offer, although they may still be introduced closer to the games.
The IRFU also confirmed that branch ticket allocations have not changed for next year's Six Nations matches and that there will be no linkage requiring the four branches to purchase tickets for the autumn internationals in 2012 and the 2013 Six Nations home games against England and France.
However, the IRFU have set a condition whereby the lowest take-up of a ticket allocation by a branch for the games against Wales, Scotland and Italy will become the respective allocation for both the England and France games in 2013. All branch allocations will be reviewed following the conclusion of those games.
IRFU commercial and marketing committee chairman, Pat Fitzgerald, believes the new pricing structures will result in the 2012 Six Nations home games being sold out.
"Our ticketing strategy in August saw huge crowds coming to the Aviva Stadium and we feel that with the value on offer, there will be three full houses for the games against Wales, Scotland and Italy next year," said Fitzgerald.
2012 Six Nations ticket prices for home games at Aviva Stadium
Sunday February 5th v Wales, 3.0pm
Premium Level €105
Restricted View Premium €52.50
Category 1 Stand €75
Category 2 Stand €65
Category 3 Stand €55
Category 4 Stand €40
Restricted View Category 1 €37.50
Restricted View Category 2 €32.50
Restricted View Category 3 €27.50
Restricted View Category 4 €20
Family Pack (1 Adult + 1 Child) Cat 3 €82.50
Family Pack (1 Adult + 1 Child) Cat 4 €60
Schoolboy/girl - Designated Area €20
Saturday February 25th v Italy, 1.30pm
Premium Level €75
Restricted View Premium €37.50
Category 1 Stand €55
Category 2 Stand €50
Category 3 Stand €40
Category 4 Stand €30
Restricted View Category 1 €27.50
Restricted View Category 2 €25
Restricted View Category 3 €20
Restricted View Category 4 €15
Family Pack (1 Adult + 1 Child) Cat 3 €60
Family Pack (1 Adult + 1 Child) Cat 4 €45
Schoolboy/girl - Designated Area €15
Saturday March 10th v Scotland, 5pm
Premium Level €90
Restricted View Premium €45
Category 1 Stand €65
Category 2 Stand €55
Category 3 Stand €45
Category 4 Stand €35
Restricted View Category 1 €32.50
Restricted View Category 2 €27.50
Restricted View Category 3 €22.50
Restricted View Category 4 €17.50
Family Pack (1 Adult + 1 Child) Cat 3 €67.50
Family Pack (1 Adult + 1 Child) Cat 4 €52.50
Schoolboy/girl - Designated Area €20
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