Warren Gatland’s side face the Wallabies, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa on consecutive weekends this autumn and, with a full month still to go until kick-off in the opening game, over 235,000 supporters have already snapped up tickets.
That figure matches the overall attendance in 2016 for matches against Australia (55,776), Argentina (50,175), Japan (73,969) and South Africa (55,122).
The 74,500 capacity Cardiff ground has sold-out for the All Blacks match (on 25th Nov), is at over 64,000 already for Australia (11th November), has reached 38,000 for Georgia (18th November) and is well beyond 58,500 for the series climax against the Springboks (2nd December).
The overall attendance figure to date also beats the final total for 2014’s autumn matches (Aus, Fiji, NZ, SA) with the newly priced £45 ticket proving to be the most popular available at what is already set to be the best attended campaign three years.
A new pricing structure has been an important factor for supporters, meaning a parent and child can now watch South Africa or Australia for £60 and, for Georgia, prices start at £20 for adults – with over two thirds of the stadium available to under-16s at the concessionary price of £10.
Remaining tickets to watch the Wallabies, Georgia and Springboks take on Gatland’s men in Cardiff are available directly to the public from official WRU outlets and from a rugby club near you now.
WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips believes a new pricing structure for the Under Armour Series is responsible for attracting the bumper crowds set to fill the home of Welsh rugby across all four matches in 2017.
For matches against Australia, Georgia and South Africa prices are the same or significantly below those for equivalent matches in the series since 2010.
A total of 48,000 adult tickets across two matches (Aus, SA) have received a significant 25% reduction on previous autumn series prices and 150,000 U 16s tickets have been made available across three games (Aus, SA, Georgia).
“For the 2017 Under Armour Series to have surpassed last year’s attendance figures a month out from the first match against Australia is impressive,” said Phillips.
“We would urge supporters not to leave it too late to purchase their tickets for Australia in particular as we are on track to sell-out this game already, meaning availability will become increasingly limited as each match-day approaches.
“We would also like to stress that tickets should only be bought from official sources – as demand intensifies please do not be tempted to buy tickets from non-WRU sources as validity cannot be guaranteed.
“Supporters have voted with their feet to back our new ticket pricing structure and also shown what a draw the likes of Australia, Georgia, New Zealand, South Africa and Wales can be when we get our offer right at Principality Stadium.
“We want to make these games as accessible as possible, so that more rugby supporters have the opportunity to support our national team live at our national ground.
“The new pricing structure reflects our ambition to sell-out the venue across all four matches, whilst also hitting our targets for investment back into all levels of the game – it has already worked for the All Blacks and the other matches in the series are well on the way there.
“We know we have the greatest rugby stadium in the world in Cardiff and look forward to it being packed out to its rafters for this mouth-watering Under Armour Series.”
For tickets to watch Wales play Australia, Georgia or South Africa visit www.wru.wales/tickets or contact your local club.
Official Hospitality Packages are available from 02920 822 413 or visit www.wru.wales/hospitality and official travel packages can be purchased from the WRU’s official travel supplier, Gullivers Sports Travel by visiting www.gulliverstravel.co.uk .
The WRU’s official resale marketplace, which gives clubs the opportunity to re-sell a limited selection of their allocated tickets to the general public, can also be found at www.seatwave.com/wru
