Six Nations: Wales' ticket prices at record levels

Fans at the Principality Stadium

Wales' Friday evening Six Nations game with France this year saw thousands of empty seats

Tickets to see Wales play in the Six Nations could set fans back as much as £130 next year.

Fixtures for the 2023 tournament were announced on Wednesday, with Wales playing on Saturdays in all five rounds of the competition.

Some fans were dismayed at the cost, saying they felt priced out.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said increases had been necessary for some fixtures, adding that its prices catered for a wide audience.

But Russell Jones, a Wales fan from Swansea, told BBC Radio Wales Drive he thought the ticket prices were "extortionate".

He said tickets for himself, his wife and two boys to go to the England game would cost £520.

"Putting that in perspective the average wage in Wales is £31,000," he said.

"How are you going to keep the game in Wales when the result is declining and the WRU are literally fleecing the fans and it's a working-class game in Wales?

"I feel the WRU are taking advantage of the loyal fans."

He said he felt lucky because he could afford to go to games, "but I know friends down in Carmarthen and in south Wales, I talk to a lot of the rugby community, and a lot of people are totally priced out and it's not fair".

Ticket prices also came under criticism during the 2022 tournament.

Former WRU chairman Gareth Davies was among the critics, saying most families in Wales would find it almost impossible to buy tickets for a family at £100 each.

The Friday night fixture also came under fire after thousands of seats were left empty at this year's match against France. The evening game has been scrapped for 2023.

Ticket prices for the 2023 Six Nations fixtures at Cardiff's Principality Stadium have risen in some categories, the WRU said, but decreased in the alcohol-free zone, while entry-level ticket prices had been frozen at £40.

For the first-round game against Ireland, tickets start at £40, then move up to £80, £105, £110 and £120.

For the meeting with England in Cardiff, prices also start at £40 and move through to £90, £115, £120 and £130.

Russel Jones

Russell Jones estimates it could cost his family of four a thousand pounds for tickets, transport and food at next year's Six Nations match against England

The WRU pointed out that general prices for the 2022 Autumn Nations Series remained unchanged since 2018 for the Georgia, Argentina and Australia matches.

Tickets for the New Zealand match, with the exception of the £40 entry ticket, have risen by £10.

Mr Jones said the lower-priced games he went to had more of a family feel and would help grow the game at the grassroots.

"The more expensive games people are being outpriced from are mainly single lads who are out for a beer on the day," he said.

Fellow fan Dan, 28, from Flintshire said some of the Six Nations ticket prices were "just crazy", particularly compared to those for football matches.

"Ultimately now I won't go to either of the home games and instead will go to Scotland away," he said.

"It's a shame as there is nothing I enjoy more than coming down to Cardiff for football or rugby but the prices, it's hard to justify for us normal working class."

WRU CEO Steve Phillips said: "A family of four will be able to watch our autumn match with Georgia for just £30 or all four family members could see Wales take on the All Blacks for a total of £120.

"Whilst price increases have been necessary for some of our highest demand fixtures, we have also taken care to ensure Wales matches are as generally accessible as ever, with a price point and customer offering to cater for as wide an audience as possible across our full 2022-23 fixture list."

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