Rugby World Cup tickets go on sale in May
Rugby fans will have a chance to get their hands on Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets from May onwards.
England Rugby 2015, Tournament Organiser for Rugby World Cup 2015, has today released details on the Rugby Community Ticket programme that will see 500,000 tickets go on sale to rugby fans through the English club network and wider rugby community from May 2014. Exeter will be hosting three matches at Sandy Park as part of Rugby World Cup 2015.
The programme enables clubs and rugby organisations to give members an additional opportunity to access tickets for the Tournament, ahead of public ticket sales in September, recognising and rewarding loyal rugby fans.
Information has been sent to the RFU's member clubs, Constituent Bodies and other affiliated organisations this week outlining how the sale of the 500,000 tickets will work.
Each club and organisation will nominate a set number of its members to purchase tickets through the Rugby Community Ticket programme. These members will be selected by the club in a fair and transparent manner with guidance provided by England Rugby 2015.
The selected members will be able to buy tickets from their club's allocation through the online Rugby World Cup 2015 ticketing system from May 16, 2014.
The ticket allocation for each club and affiliated organisation is based on the RFU's international ticketing policy and methodology. Allocations will vary across the rugby community but those involved in the programme will have access to tickets for all 48 matches across the country, including England pool matches and knockout matches.
Clubs and organisations involved in the Rugby Community Ticket programme can now decide how they will allocate their tickets and select their members. From May 6 clubs/organisations can upload their members' details to the RWC 2015 ticketing system ahead of the live sales launch on May 16. Tickets will be on sale to the Rugby Community until June 30. Tickets will be sold directly to the individual members not to the club or organisation.
Tickets can only be purchased by nominated members for their own use. Tickets cannot be used as part of hospitality, fundraising or commercial programmes as they are intended to directly reward the rugby community.
England Rugby 2015 CEO, Debbie Jevans, said: "When we announced our ticketing strategy in November last year we were clear in our commitment to providing loyal rugby fans, who support the game week in week out, with a chance to buy tickets through their club. We have allocated 500,000 tickets to the Rugby Community through the clubs and RFU affiliated organisations in England for all 48 matches at Rugby World Cup 2015.
"We have confirmed the details with the clubs and organisations this week and now want the rugby community to consider how they will allocate their tickets so that they can recognise the contribution of their members and reward them for their support of the club and the game over the years.
"We want this to be straightforward for both the clubs and individuals, so we have worked hard to deliver an easy to use sales programme. Club members should speak to their club about its ticket allocation as details are confirmed in the coming months.”
RFU CEO, Ian Ritchie, said, "It is fantastic that England Rugby 2015 and Rugby World Cup Limited have recognised the important role that the rugby community plays in our sport and all those who support the game so well, week in week out, year in year out. This is clearly reflected in the fact that they will get priority access to see matches in a tournament that we all hope will take participation in the game to a new level in this country.”
Following the Rugby Community Ticket programme, tickets will go on sale to the public in September. The dates of sale and details will be announced in May 2014.
Sandy Park, Exeter, will host the following Rugby World Cup 2015 games:
Tuesday 29 September Tonga v Africa 1 - kick off 17:00
Wednesday 7 October Africa 1 v Georgia - kick off 20:00
Sunday 11 October Italy v Romania - kick off 14:30
