Ticket prices could lead to GAA losses

GAA:THE GAA could be facing an annual deficit of over €800,000 as a result of the adjusted ticket prices announced over the weekend.

Although the €5 reduction on all adult stand and terrace prices for central competitions up to the All-Ireland semi-finals is somewhat offset by the €10 increase on stand tickets for the All-Ireland finals, there will still be a notable shortfall.

Based on last year’s overall attendance figures, the €5 reduction will result in about a €1.6 million drop in the overall gate receipts, while the €10 increase in All-Ireland final tickets will bring in an additional €800,000 – or roughly half the deficit.

GAA president Christy Cooney defended the decision to apparently give with one hand and take with the other:

“The GAA recognises the need to encourage patrons to attend our games and this price cut signals our intent to ensure our supporters continue to engage with and follow our championship games,” he said, while claiming the increased price of €80 for All-Ireland finals was still competitive compared to other sporting finals.

It means prices for the opening round of the All-Ireland qualifiers in both codes have been reduced to €15 for entry to the stand, and €10 for terrace – including, of course, the first round of the football qualifiers next Saturday. Juveniles can enter the stand for €5 or the terrace free of charge.

Stand tickets for the second rounds of the qualifiers will also be priced at €15, with the remaining rounds priced at €20. All-Ireland quarter-final seats will are now reduced from €35 to €30, with tickets for the All-Ireland semi-finals now reduced to €40. However stand tickets for the All-Ireland football and hurling finals at Croke Park in September will increase in price from €70 to €80.

The GAA also maintain that the reductions, when combined with the season ticket offer and other GAA ticket packages, ensures the Association remains to the fore in terms of value for money. Up until the semi-finals clubs can also avail of group passes for adult members which are €10 each, as well as another group offer where juveniles enter for €3, with one adult gaining free entry for every 10 children.

This decreases were approved by Central Council on Saturday, but for 2011 only – and it’s not decided at this stage if the reductions will apply in the long time. The last time the GAA raised ticket prices at central level was in 2006. The All-Ireland finals remain the stand-out fixture in the GAA calendar, with 80 per cent of all gate revenues directed back to the clubs.