THE IRFU HAS estimated that the upcoming November test series will deliver a €60 million boost to the economy this month.
The fact that the first two games are Saturday evening kick-offs and the New Zealand clash on Sunday the 24th is sold out mean that the hospitality industry and local retailers in Dublin will have the chance to cash in, according the Irish rugby’s governing body.
The IRFU estimate that 40,000 supporters will turn up for the Samoa game on Saturday, although it is understood that there will need to be a late surge of interest for that number to be reached. 31,000 people attended the same fixture in 2010, when Ireland battled to a 20-10 victory.
It appears that the second game against Australia could sell out, with just 4,000 tickets remaining up for grabs. The IRFU say that 10,000 tickets for the meeting with the Wallabies were sold in just six days after it was confirmed that all 51,000 tickets for the New Zealand fixture had been snapped up.
The Union’s Commercial and Marketing Director Padraig Power said the IRFU are “delighted that over 135,000 fans have secured tickets so far.
We are confident that the Series can deliver an estimated €60 million this November as sport once again plays a key role in supporting the Irish economy.
“Unfortunately many fans missed out on New Zealand tickets by waiting just that little too long to secure them, so we are urging fans to snap up their Australia tickets as soon as possible as the fixture is now also approaching a sell-out.”
The IRFU will provide €400 to clubs to defray the costs of travelling to the Samoa match at in Dublin next Saturday.
The offer is open to groups of adults, as well as groups of adults and children, and is available by informing the IRFU of an intention to travel to the match in a group of 45 or more.
