Soccer:Having failed to sell out the Aviva Stadium even once since the redeveloped Landsowne Road opened its doors at the end of last summer, the FAI has moved to cut ticket prices by up to 27 per cent for the rest of 2011.
The association, with debts believed to be in excess of €50 million as a result of the redevelopment of the stadium, has seen numbers at games decline dramatically as a result of the economic downturn while premium seat sales have been a fraction of what had been predicted.
Last month’s Carling Nations Cup win over Wales attracted an official attendance of just over just 20,000 fans to Dublin 4 as Ireland’s cash-strapped support elected to stay away in their thousands. Indeed, there were more empty seats than that number would suggest. The new arena has a capacity of some 51,000.
Even last November’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Russia, the most attractive home fixture in Ireland’s qualifying campaign, didn’t attract a full house while tickets remained unsold for the glamour friendly against Argentina that officially opened the new stadium.
In an effort to get more bums on seats, the FAI today announced that prices for the remaining Euro 2012 qualifiers in 2011 would by reduced by up to 14 per cent . The price reductions for Ireland’s friendlies, including the meeting with World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay, will be even greater with thousands of seats available at a 25 per cent discount on 2010 levels.
Tickets for the forthcoming qualifier against Macedonia and the subsequent friendly with Uruguay will go on sale tomorrow morning at the reduced prices.
However, tickets will only be available to buy as part a two-match package with fans being asked to fork out for seats for both games or not at all. As such, the cheapest package for both games will come in at €75, which will no doubt price many fans, particularly those travelling long distances, out of the market.
Euro 2012 qualifying ticket prices in 2011
Lower tier:€60
Upper tier:€45
Euro 2012 qualifying ticket prices in 2010
Lower tier:€70
Upper tier:€50
Friendly ticket prices in 2011
Lower tier:€40
Upper tier:€30
Friendly ticket prices in 2010
Lower tier:€55
Upper tier:€40
Rep of Ireland home fixtures in 2011(confirmed)
March 26th : FYR Macedonia– European Championship qualifier; March 29th: Uruguay– Friendly; May 23rd: Northern Ireland– Four Nations; May 27th: Scotland– Four Nations; September 2nd: Slovakia– European Championship qualifier; October 11th: Armenia– European Championship qualifier.
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