FAQ: 2021/22 Season and Match Ticketing Info

After many months of planning, Connacht Rugby can now share details of our ticketing plan for our first three home games of the 2021/22 season, while also providing a long-term outlook for the remainder of the campaign.

How did this plan come about?

Deciding how tickets will be distributed has been an extremely complex process. It required many projections which were dependant on a range of factors; primarily our allowed capacity. Every scenario from 0% to 100% capacity was accounted for while we waited for guidance from the Government.

Another key objective for us was catering for our 1885 Club members who fall into different ‘categories’, such as:

- Members who purchased a 2020/21 Season Ticket, then opted to defer it by 12 months.
- Members who had not yet purchased a 2020/21 Season Ticket before sales were cancelled.
- Members who opted to accept a Credit Note when offered to them.
- Members with an indoor Season Ticket (i.e. the Enclosure).
- Members who generously donated a portion of their Season Ticket to the club in the Summer of 2020.

So, how many supporters will be allowed attend games?

The Sportsground will operate at a capacity of 50% for the following fixtures:

Connacht v London Irish: Friday 10th September @ 17:30 (Pre-Season Friendly)
Connacht v Vodacom Bulls: Friday 1st October @ 19:35 (United Rugby Championship)
Connacht v Dragons: Saturday 9th October @ 17:15 (United Rugby Championship)

These plans are subject to no change or reversal on the Government guidelines issued last week relating to outdoor sporting events.

I bought a 2020/21 Season Ticket and opted to defer it by 12 months. Will my ticket be honoured for these games?

Yes! You are guaranteed access to every home regular season game in the URC, as well as our Pool games in the Heineken Champions Cup and Friday’s pre-season friendly with London Irish.

All Season Ticket holders will be issued a match ticket via email before London Irish, and then their Season Tickets will be distributed before our first home URC game.

It’ll be good to have you back!

Will my Season Ticket be in the same location I purchased it in?

Those who purchased a Season Ticket in the Clan Stand, Main Stand or Grant Thornton Stand will still be located in that same area of the ground.

Due to restrictions on the use of indoor areas, those with Season Tickets in the Enclosure will be temporarily relocated to the Main Stand for these first three games.

Those with Enclosure tickets will be contacted directly today.

I am an 1885 Club member but do not yet have a Season Ticket. What are my options?

A limited number of match tickets for the Bohermore and College Road ends of The Sportsground will be available exclusively to the 1885 Club members who do not have a Season Ticket, until our return to 100% capacity.

These tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis with links emailed to members in the lead-up to each game. We can also confirm that tickets for the London Irish game will be FREE.

Really? Free match tickets?

Yes! Our ability to come through the COVID-19 pandemic was in large partly because of the unwavering support of the 1885 Club. We asked you to stick with us, and your response was better than we could have ever imagined.

As a THANK YOU, we will not charge a single cent for any ticket that we issue for London Irish.

How can I claim my tickets?

If you are an 1885 Club member without a Season Ticket, you will be emailed a link tomorrow to claim 2x free match tickets.

There is limited availability, so you’ll need to act fast. We want to create a party atmosphere at The Sportsground this Friday so it’s one you won’t want to miss!

I am not an 1885 Club member. Will any tickets go on General Sale for the first three games?

Our first priority will be to cater for the 1885 Club. Only when all members have been accommodated for, would any tickets go on general sale, but these would be extremely limited.

Keep an eye on connachtrugby.ie and the Connacht Rugby social channels for updates ahead of each game.

Why is The Sportsground operating at 50% capacity?

2021/22 Season Ticket holders (i.e. those who purchased 20/21 season tickets and then deferred them until 21/22) are not bound by any vaccination terms or conditions and their tickets must be honoured.

Based on the levels of general public vaccination uptake we do believe that the vast majority of adult fans will in fact be vaccinated.

As an organisation we strongly encourage everyone to get their vaccine if they haven’t yet done so, which will help the smooth transition into the ending of restrictions next month.

Will further Season Tickets go on sale?

Yes. When we are closer to a return to full capacity we anticipate reopening Season Ticket sales, with 1885 Club members getting first access. These tickets will be sold at a discounted rate to make up for the home fixtures already held.

I still have some questions. Who can I contact?

We’d first ask you to email seasontickets@connachtrugby.ie with your name and order number and we’ll be back to you as quick as possible.

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