The Welsh Rugby Union has began trials of a new ‘print-at-home’ ticketing system for international matches via www.wru.co.uk/tickets.
Wales face the Pumas at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday afternoon (2.30pm), before the big hitting South Sea Islanders visit the Welsh capital on Friday 22 November (7.30pm) and for both games fans will be able to buy online and print a bar coded ‘paper ticket’ right up until 10 minutes before kick-off.
The ‘print-at-home’ trial utilises a new bar code scanning system which has been in regular practice at the Millennium Stadium over the course of a number of recent events.
Every match ticket carries a unique bar code, which will greatly increase security at the Millennium Stadium and help combat black market ticket sales. Fans are now able to purchase their tickets online and use their home printers to produce a ‘paper ticket’.
These tickets carry the barcode which is used to gain admission, in a similar way to what is common practice for airline travel and for many theatres and cinemas.
The unique advantage for fans is that they will not be charged for post and packaging and, for those fans used to buying tickets online less than four days in advance of match-day, there will be no need to queue to collect your ticket in person.
“The ‘print-at-home’ ticket could become the future for Millennium Stadium events,” said Millennium Stadium Manager Mark Williams, who is in the midst of preparations for the arrival of the Pumas this Saturday with current ticket sales at the 43,000 mark.
“We have used the system at recent, smaller events but this will be the first time fans will be able to attend a Wales match in this way.
“There is a simple online credit card payment which fans are now more than used to and that is ultimately it; everything you do next is within your own control.
“Print off your ticket at your leisure and simply present it at the turnstile; the only note of caution is that obviously the barcode is individual and unique and it will only admit one person.
“So, as with any ticket, you need to look after your ‘print-at-home’ version and ensure that it doesn’t get passed on to anyone else.
“The other thing to remember is that, a form of identification should be presented alongside your ‘print-at-home’ ticket to avoid any potential problems.
“This should also help us combat black market ticket sales. The message to fans wishing to come and watch Wales play at the Millennium Stadium is; getting hold of a much sought after ticket has never been easier.”
Wales’ opening Dove Men Series clash with South Africa was played out in front of a 66,000-strong crowd at the Millennium Stadium last weekend and sales for the Pumas clash are heading in a similar direction.
The new ‘print-at-home’ ticket system is expected to boost sales and also help the WRU to educate fans about the availability of tickets for Welsh international matches.
“The final game of the Dove Men Series is against Australia and, whilst demand remains high, our message is that there are still a limited amount of tickets available,” added Williams, who was also keen to point out that the ‘print-at-home’ trial will not be running for the Wallabies game.
“There are three big matches for Wales coming up over the next three weeks and fans need not miss out on tickets to see their international heroes in any of them, if they go online and purchase now.”
Tickets to see Wales in action at the Millennium Stadium in the remaining 2013 Dove Men Series fixtures – against Argentina, Tonga and Australia – on consecutive weekends from 16th November are available online at www.wru.co.uk/tickets prices from £25, £10 concession. Fans can also buy tickets directly from their local rugby club.
Wales Dove Men Series 2013 fixtures:
Wales v Argentina – Saturday, 16 November, Kick-Off 2.30pm – £40 / £30 / £10 concession (U16) /£70 Family ticket 2 adults + 2 concession
Wales v Tonga – Friday, 22 November, Kick-Off 7.30pm – £25 / £10 concession/ £60 Family ticket 2 adult + 2 concession/ Minis/Juniors/Schools offer, with every 8 concessions purchased 2 adult tickets free
Wales v Australia – Saturday, 30 November, Kick-Off 5.00pm – £70 / £60 / £40 / £25
