England 2015 chiefs brush off fears over record ticket prices
RUGBY World Cup chiefs insist the 2015 tournament in England will be affordable, despite some seats for the final being the most expensive in the event’s history.
Tickets go on sale next year, with prices for some low-key pool stage games starting from £15 for adults and £7 for children, rising to a maximum of £315 for England’s group fixtures. There is no child discount in the knockout stage, bar the third place play-off, with prices ranging from £95 to £515, while tickets for the final at Twickenham range from £150 to £715. The 2011 climax in New Zealand cost between £170 and £545.
“We have a range of ticket prices for every budget, for fans and families who want to come to one of the world’s greatest sports events,” said England 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans.
“A family of four can watch Australia or South Africa in the pool stages for a total of £70 or watch England in Manchester for £130.”
The first batch of World Cup tickets, approximately 500,000, will be distributed to clubs affiliated to the Rugby Football Union in May.
A general sale will begin in September, marking a year to go until the tournament, with a ballot for high-demand games, and any remaining seats to be offered in December.
Jevans also defended the decision to appoint Ticketmaster as World Cup partner, despite its difficulties during the London 2012 Olympics, saying the company had shown that “lessons have been learned”.
RUGBY WORLD CUP TICKETS
Pool stage
Some games £15-£60, children £7, and most expensive fixtures, including England’s three dates at Twickenham, £75-£515, with children’s seats at £15
Knockout phase
Quarter-finals all £95-£250, semi-finals £125-£515 and final £150-£715. Tickets for the third-place match at the Olympic Stadium from £50 to £175, with childrens’ seats at £15