New Match-day Pricing System Set To Boost Ospreys Crowds

Aimed at helping the Ospreys become the first Welsh region to break the 10,000 season average crowd barrier, the announcement comes just days after bosses at the region revealed a range of value-for-money season-ticket packages that they hope will help cement their reputation as the best supported side in Wales.

After witnessing a six per cent rise in the average crowd during the 2006/07 season, up from 9,223 during the first ever Liberty Stadium campaign to 9,820 during the season just ended, the newly crowned Magners League champions have put together a series of changes to the match-day pricing structure that they believe will give crowds another significant boost during the forthcoming campaign.

The new system will, for the first time, see matches divided into levels, based on historic crowd figures, and will be priced accordingly. Level one fixtures against the likes of Llanelli Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, Ulster, Munster and top tier European opposition that will be expected to draw a healthy crowd will be charged at full rate, whilst level two matches that have traditionally attracted smaller crowds will now be priced at a lower, discounted rate.

In addition, Ospreys bosses have introduced a new system that will see supporters purchasing tickets ahead of a match-day receiving a £2 discount on ticket price. Fans who sign up for the recently launched Ospreys Membership at £25, will receive an additional 10% discount on their ticket, reducing the cost still further. In addition, concessionary prices are available that will see OAP"â'¬â"¢s paying as little £6 and under-16"â'¬â"¢s as little as £4, while admission for under-12"â'¬â"¢s in the family area is pinned at £3 for every match.

Ospreys Managing Director Roger Blyth explained:

"â'¬Å"Last season was a successful one for us on and off the pitch, with Lyn Jones and his squad securing our second Magners League title in three years whilst we enjoyed another significant boost in our average crowds, which was quite an achievement considering the huge rise we had enjoyed the previous year thanks to our move to the Liberty Stadium.

"â'¬ËœThe challenge for us now off the pitch is to look to build our support level still further, as we still have room within the stadium to double our average crowd. We must look to do all we can to grow our support base, and after much consultation, we have come up with a strategy that we think will enable us to break the 10,000 average crowd barrier for the first time next season.

"â'¬Å"Our strategy is to make watching the Ospreys an affordable experience for everyone, which is why we have introduced discounted tickets for advance purchases and sizeable discounts on concessionary tickets for all areas, including child tickets for just £3 every game. In addition to this, we have looked at the way our crowds rise and fall depending on the opposition and have moved to try and avoid that happening next season.

"â'¬Å"For example, look at last October when we had a crowd of 6,000 for the visit of Glasgow, yet just seven days later more than 13,500 people were present to watch the memorable victory over Sale Sharks. By introducing a two-level pricing system, we are able to reduce costs significantly for fixtures that traditionally draw a lower crowd, which we believe will lead to improved attendances for two reasons; the missing thousands who came to one match and not the other will be more likely to attend both thanks to it being more affordable. The reduced prices will also make it more attractive to casual supporters or first time visitors to come along and experience the Ospreys live at the Liberty Stadium.

"â'¬Å"Either way, we think that the policy will prove to be a popular one that will succeed in increasing our average crowds significantly, with the knock on effect that bigger crowds have on both performance level on the pitch and atmosphere off it, leading to more supporters wanting to come back regularly."â'¬Â

CATEGORY A SEATING "â'¬"

Level 1 Fixtures

Full

Matchday Purchase £24 Pre-matchday £22 Pre-matchday Members Discount £19.80

Concessions

Matchday Purchase £16 Pre-matchday £14 Pre-matchday Members Discount £12.60

Level 2 Fixtures

Full

Matchday Purchase £18 Pre-matchday £16 Pre-matchday Members Discount £14.40

Concessions

Matchday Purchase £12 Pre-matchday £10 Pre-matchday Members Discount £9

CATEGORY B SEATING "â'¬"

Level 1 Fixtures

Full

Matchday Purchase £21 Pre-matchday £19 Pre-matchday Members Discount £17.10

Concessions

Matchday Purchase £14 Pre-matchday £12 Pre-matchday Members Discount £10.80

Level 2 Fixtures

Full

Matchday Purchase £15 Pre-matchday £13 Pre-matchday Members Discount £11.70

Concessions

Matchday Purchase £10 Pre-matchday £8 Pre-matchday Members Discount £7.20

CATEGORY C SEATING -

Level 1 Fixtures

Full

Matchday Purchase £18 Pre-matchday £16 Pre-matchday Members Discount £14.40

Concessions

Matchday Purchase £12 Pre-matchday £10 Pre-matchday Members Discount £9

Level 2 Fixtures

Matchday Purchase £12 Pre-matchday £10 Pre-matchday Members Discount £9

Concessions

Matchday Purchase £8 Pre-matchday £6 Pre-matchday Members Discount £5.40

Family Area - Junior (16 & under)

Level 1 Fixtures

Matchday Purchase £9 Pre-matchday £7

Level 2 Fixtures

Matchday Purchase £6 Pre-matchday £4

Family Area "â'¬" Children (12 & under)

£3 all tickets