THE NRL has defended its decision to increase ticket prices for next year's State of Origin match in Sydney and warned that the cost could go up even higher depending on demand closer to the event. - See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/origin-series-undervalued-for-years-nrl/story-fnca0von-1226773754560#sthash.PDNgOyRW.dpuf
The National Rugby League has "defended its decision to increase ticket prices for next year's State of Origin match in Sydney and warned that the cost could go up even higher depending on demand closer to the event," according to Stuart Honeysett of THE AUSTRALIAN. The "escalating cost of ticket prices became a hot topic for the NRL this year." Some critics believed the game was "losing touch with its blue-collar roots by pricing fans out of the market." The cheapest ticket for this year's games at ANZ Stadium were for a bronze category adult, at $55 and a family at $165. Next year, the same tickets will cost $65 for an adult and $195 for a family - an increase for both of just over 18 per cent.
Gold ticket prices have gone from $150 to $155 for an adult and $450 to $465 for a family - rising only 3 per cent.
NRL commercial and marketing director Paul Kind yesterday defended the price hike, saying the Origin series had been undervalued for a number of years and still represented better value than other sports.
- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/origin-series-undervalued-for-years-nrl/story-fnca0von-1226773754560#sthash.PDNgOyRW.dpuf
" The "cheapest ticket for this year's games at ANZ Stadium were for a bronze category adult," at A$55 ($50) and a family at A$165. Next year, the same tickets will cost A$65 for an adult and A$195 for a family -- "an increase for both" of just more than 18%. Gold ticket prices have gone from A$150 to A$155 for an adult and A$450 to A$465 for a family -- rising only 3%. NRL Dir of Marketing & Commercial Paul Kind on Monday "defended the price hike, saying the Origin series had been undervalued for a number of years and still represented better value than other sports" (
THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/3).
PLAYERS OPPOSE SHORT SCHEDULE: In Brisbane, Todd Balym wrote "player power has ruled supreme with the game's elite rejecting moves to shorten the 2014 State of Origin schedule because of concerns about their physical and mental well-being." NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg "wanted to reduce the length of the Origin series for 2014 but hit a brick wall when he put the proposal to the Rugby League Players Association." NRL GM of Football Operations Nathan McGuirk said, "It was the players themselves that came back to us and said we preferred the current model in terms of the eight-week window rather than condensing it down." RLPA CEO David Garnsey said that "players were keen to consider other scheduling options but were never given the chance to enter into a proper discussion" (COURIER-MAIL, 12/3).
