The “flat” atmosphere at Ireland’s Six Nations matches in the Aviva was bemoaned by Gerry Thornley in this week’s column. He says many fans are treating it as a drinking occasion and asks if there is a lack of tickets for “real fans”.
We’d like to hear what you think. Have you been to Ireland rugby games at the Aviva? What did you think of the atmosphere? How did it differ to other rugby matches you have been to? Has there been a marked change in recent years?
What are the improvements you would like to see? Do you think fans should be allowed to bring drinks back to their seats and buy them while the match is ongoing? Or should the same rules be adopted as Ireland football matches where fans are allowed to buy alcohol but not bring it back to their seats?
Or were you unable to get tickets? Do you think tickets are ending up in the hands of real fans? Are there changes you’d like to see on ticket distribution?
Gerry Thornley writes: “Are the tickets ending up in the hands of real fans? For example, readers have said that they counted over 50 non-occupied seats in the Lower East and Havelock Square ends. What the hell is going on there?”
“It also doesn’t help that many fans seem to regard Irish Six Nations games as social occasions, akin to an open-air party/dining/drinking occasion. It’s simply a case of prioritising the actual sport!”
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