The publication of this year's BBC Price of Football study this week illustrates the great value for money that Welsh regional rugby offers fans
The study has revealed the average price of the cheapest match-day ticket in English football’s top four divisions, in which Swansea City, Cardiff City and Newport County play, is up 4.4% from 2013.
The Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons both currently offer £99 season tickets – that’s around £6 per game and represent the cheapest available in Welsh regional rugby. Regional rugby season tickets cost over £150 less than the cheapest adult season ticket for a Welsh football club playing in a fully professional league – Newport County.
Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) CEO Mark Davies said: “The study released by the BBC highlights the gulf in pricing that exists for supporters to enjoy live professional club sport both here in Wales and across the UK."
“Regional rugby offers great value for money for those wanting to enjoy live sport considering the level at which our professional teams compete both in Europe and the Guinness PRO12. The Regions work very hard to keep their prices competitive and to reflect the demographics of their support bases."
“There has been significant investment in our training facilities and rugby stadia in recent years to improve environments for our rugby set-ups and the match day experience for our 450,000 supporters who enjoy regional rugby each season – particularly for families and our young supporters."
“There is plenty of work still to be done but the Regions are aware of the need to continuously improve and innovate and they work hard to retain and grow their support bases. It’s been encouraging to see that season ticket take-up in 2014/15 across the Four Regions has been positive and withstood the uncertainty surrounding the game in Wales over the past year – all Regions have reported increases or have reached the same levels as last season and hit target."
“Watching our regions play rugby is also a fantastic chance for supporters to see an abundance of young Welsh local talent on show at a senior level, unlike the professional football teams in Wales."
“For example, the Blues and Ospreys will both field an A team to play each other at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park next Monday and entry for supporters is free. It’s a great opportunity for Welsh rugby supporters to come along and see some of the younger regional players and others who have had limited game time so far this season make their mark.”
“RRW and the regions are doing everything we can to allow our domestic professional game to be within the reach of all sporting fans in Wales, especially families, and we are greatly looking forward to another high quality Welsh regional derby next Monday – this time showcasing the next generation!”
Welsh rugby regions adult ticket prices 2014-2015
Cardiff Blues
Cheapest adult season ticket = £185
Cheapest adult matchday ticket = £13
Newport Gwent Dragons
Cheapest adult season tickets from £99 adults
Cheapest adult matchday ticket £10
Ospreys
Cheapest adult season ticket = £99
Cheapest adult matchday ticket = £20
Scarlets
Cheapest adult season ticket = £160
Cheapest adult matchday ticket = £10
Cardiff Blues A v Ospreys A, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, Monday October 20, 7.15pm kick-off. ENTRY FREE!
Notes to editors: Welsh Regional Rugby facts and figures
15,000 Members
450,000 season attendance
More than 100,000 supporting Welsh regional derbies last season
Collective turnover approaching £30m per annum
Direct economic contribution to Wales in excess of £50m per annum
Provide employment for almost 1,000 people
More than 600 professional and semi-professional rugby players
More than 50 highly skilled coaching, conditioning and medical staff
100 + Welsh Business Suppliers
ENDS
There are no events to show yet.