With less than two years to go until rugby’s showpiece event, the RWC 2015 organisers have announced kick-off times and ticket prices for the tournament – with news that, here in Cardiff, a family of four will be able to watch Wales in action for £130.
Star skipper Warburton, who led the Lions to a 2-1 Test series triumph in the summer and captains Wales against Australia at the Millennium Stadium this weekend, is predicting the Welsh fans will be quick to plan ahead to get their hands on the greatest tickets in town for 2015.
“It’s significant the news is this far in advance, so people can prepare for the World Cup and hopefully enjoy it as much as they can,” said the international flanker.
“Having games in the Millennium Stadium is awesome. It seems a long way away, but the rugby world works in two year cycles at the top level, it’s British Lions and then attentions turn to the World Cup. It’s only around the corner and it will come around sooner than we expect.”
The double RBS 6 Nations winning captain also says: “Having a Rugby World Cup game in Cardiff will be pretty special,” as it breaks the cyclical nature of Six Nations and Autumn Series games.
Wales will meet World Cup opposition in the pool stages at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 20 September at 14.30hrs and Thursday 1 October at 20:00hrs in 2015.
“Today’s news means that fans can start planning now which fixtures they want to go to,” said Warburton. ” Having a fixture at 2.30pm is will be welcomed by fans and their families, because it’s the middle of the day, but as players that’s what we prefer as well.
“I’m sure there will be a great atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium. There will be a buzz in Wales as a whole when the World Cup comes around and I think that can only be good for us as a national team.”
The home of Welsh sport is set to host eight games including two quarter finals across the 2015 tournament, ensuring a multi-million pound boost to Wales based on comparisons with previous major events.
WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “Rugby World Cup 2015 offers the opportunity for Welsh fans to see some fantastic matches here in Wales.
“The standard of play in this competition is inevitably extremely high and our supporters are rightly applauded as connoisseurs of the game at the highest level.
“We are used to watching the best teams in world rugby playing here at our Millennium Stadium and it will be a pleasure to welcome some of them back for such crucial and competitive matches.
“I am delighted we have been able to secure so many top notch matches for Wales and I am certainly looking forward to watching players write some new chapters in the modern history of our great game in 2015.”
RWC 2015 organisers say that tickets have been made as affordable as possible, with some tickets available for as low as £7 for children and £15 for adults.
Over two million tickets will go on sale next year, with around one million priced at £100 or less, and half a million at £50 or less. Tickets will be distributed in five phases in 2014;
January 1, 2014 Travelling Fan Packages: on sale Ticket-inclusive tour packages for supporters will go on sale through Official Travel Agents, including in England.
February 1, 2014 Hospitality Packages on sale: Official hospitality packages offering a range of different match-day experiences go on sale.
May / June 2014 Rugby Fans through Rugby Clubs programme opens: Fans who are members of rugby clubs in England will have the opportunity to purchase tickets through their clubs.
September 2014 General Sale: Applications: Tickets will go on general sale to the public via a ballot.
November / December 2014 General Sale: Real Time Any remaining tickets left over from the ballot will then go on sale on a first come first served basis.
Cardiff is set for a spectacular six-week celebration of rugby which will give fans, who support the game week in week out, a good chance to secure their place at the tournament.
The application phase, which launches in September 2014, will allocate tickets for matches where demand exceeds supply through a ballot, providing a fair way for the general public to access tickets and bring new people into the game. With this in mind tickets have been made as accessible as possible, so that everyone can make their plans to join in one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
RWC 2015 will be a truly nationwide tournament with 13 venues hosting a total of 48 matches. At the Millennium Stadium, fans can look forward to seeing eight matches, including two Quarter Finals. Tickets will start as low as £15 for children and £50 for adults;
Pool Date Time Fixture Cat A Cat B Cat C Cat C Child Cat D Cat D Child
D 19 Sep 14:30 Ireland Canada £175 £125 £85 £15 £50 £15
A 20 Sep 14:30 Wales Play off winner £175 £125 £85 £15 £50 £15
A 23 Sep 17:00 Australia Oceania 1 £175 £125 £85 £15 £50 £15
A 1 Oct 20:00 Wales Oceania 1 £175 £125 £85 £15 £50 £15
C 2 Oct 20:00 New Zealand Europe 1 £175 £125 £85 £15 £50 £15
D 11 Oct 17:00 France Ireland £250 £175 £125 £15 £50 £15
QF 17 Oct 14:00 W Pool C RU pool D £250 £215 £150 n/a £115 n/a
QF 18 Oct 14:00 W Pool D RU Pool C £250 £215 £150 n/a £115 n/a
