The Welsh Rugby Union is releasing tickets, to see Wales face Japan in Cardiff, online at wru.wales/tickets on Tuesday 31st May.
Working with member clubs the WRU has made an initial allocation of tickets available directly to supporters a full six months in advance of kick-off, for the first time.
Clubs remain the first port of call for Under Armour Series tickets and, alongside Japan, tickets are available from clubs for South Africa, Australia and Argentina who all come to town in November.
Supporters will also have the opportunity to reserve their seats for all four matches directly from the WRU in late August, significantly earlier than in previous years.
Warren Gatland’s side first face Eddie Jones’ England at Twickenham this Sunday before embarking on a three-Test summer tour to the home of World Champions New Zealand ahead of the 2016 Under Armour Autumn Series.
And Jones is inextricably linked to Japan’s ‘giant killing’ exploits – which culminated in victory over South Africa at last year’s Rugby World Cup, but arguably began when he led them to an historic win in the second match of Wales’ 2013 summer tour to the land of the Brave Blossoms.
“There is a lot of rugby to be played between now and the 19th of November, not least the five matches we have immediately ahead of us – England on Sunday, three Tests in New Zealand and the midweek match with the Chiefs,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
“They were fearless in the World Cup and pulled off a result that upset the status quo, went against the natural order of things and was possibly the greatest ‘giant killing’ the game has seen. Achievements of teams like Japan do not go unnoticed.
“We face six different teams from World Rugby’s top ten between now and Christmas and if we can manage to invoke a little of Japan’s world cup spirit across the course of that campaign that’s going to help us.”
Once Gatland’s side return from New Zealand the next fixture on the international calendar is against the Wallabies in Cardiff on the first Saturday in November (KO 2.30pm), the Pumas are up next a week later (KO 5.30pm) and the Springboks bring the series to a climax on Saturday 26th November (KO 5.30pm) after Japan have had their say in the previous Saturday (KO 2.30pm).
Tickets for the Japan game are priced from £20 adults and £10 concession and available from Monday 31st May online at http://wru.wales/tickets or from your local club.
Tickets for the remaining fixtures in the Under Armour Autumn Series 2016 will be available on public sale from late August but can be accessed via your local rugby club now – starting at £20 for Argentina and £25 for the Australia and South Africa fixtures.
In another first for the WRU, concessionary prices, for U16s, will be available to over 40,000 fans for each match across the series.
“We will have over 170,000 tickets across the series all available at the relevant concessionary price, which is a deliberate move to appeal to families and youngsters to come and support Wales,” added WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips.
“Every ticket in our price band B category will be available at half price to U16s, which is a significant increase on any previous offering we have made, and the move is part of our long term aim to open the game up to more people, more often and encourage more men, women and their families to enjoy the experience of international rugby.”
Earlier this year each of Wales home RBS 6 Nations matches sold-out for the first time since 2008, with record sales (over 40,000 tickets) achieved in the first week of public availability.
Under Armour Autumn Series 2016
Wales vs Australia – Saturday 5th November (Kick off 2.30pm): £70, £60 (£30), £40, £25
Wales vs Argentina – Saturday 12th November (Kick off 5.30pm): £50 / £40 (£20) / £30 / £20
Wales vs Japan – Saturday 19th November (Kick off 2.30pm): £35 / £20 (£10)
Wales vs South Africa – Saturday 26th November (Kick off 5.30pm): £70, £60 (£30), £40, £25
