SARU slash prices after slow ticket sales
UPDATE: The low demand for tickets at Ellis Park, venue for South Africa’s Nations Championship opener against England on Saturday, has forced the South African Rugby Union to slash prices.
Public pressure, with fans voting with their feet, has left more than 30,000 tickets unsold by Thursday.
It resulted in a massive reduction in prices.
Earlier in the week, available seats ranged between ZAR950 and ZARR3,000 for standard seating categories. Hospitality packages were available from about ZAR7,895.
However, a large number of tickets are now available at ZAR650, while even prime seating is available at ZAR950.
SARU is hoping the ‘reduced’ prices will bring them close to their stated goal of having the 62,000-seater stadium at 90 percent capacity.
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The drastic action came after SARU, rights holders for all Springbok Tests on South African soil, faced the very real prospect of a ‘half-empty’ Ellis Park on Saturday.
SARU, in acknowledging the challenge to attract sell-out crowds, listed the ‘Iran war’ as one of the reasons for the low demand.
Apart from the unaffordable ticket prices, other reasons for the unwillingness of fans to rush to sale points include the badly decaying Doornfontein precinct that surrounds Ellis Park.
The area has become increasingly notorious for urban decay, as well as crime and safety concerns, which have combined to turn the iconic venue into a proverbial White Elephant.
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
