Its not often we praise the FAI but I think credit is due with this initiative. Prices are far more competitive and I genuinely hope this works for them. And the seven games included in the package, many of them will be far from dead rubber friendlies, you will have at least two qualifiers, perhaps a playoff and very likely a friendly against England.
The Football Association of Ireland today announced that it will cut the price of Vantage and General Admission seats in Aviva Stadium after a consultation process with affiliated leagues and clubs. The ticket price reductions to be introduced through the 2011/12 season ticket (August to August) were made possible by the confirmation of UEFA's centralised television rights agreement that will benefit European associations from 2014.
The announcement was made at a reception in the offices of Clare County Council in Ennis where the Association's AGM will take place in July. FAI CEO John Delaney announced plans to cut the price of Vantage seats for existing holders as a reward scheme for their support as well as details of the Association's new Season Ticket scheme that will include a children's ticket for the first time, guaranteeing seven matches for under16s for just €55.
Adult Season tickets will provide seven matches for €189 in Category B and €270 in Category A, a further 13% discount on single match ticket prices announced earlier this year and up to 30% compared to 2010 general admission ticket prices.
Commenting today, Mr Delaney said:
"The UEFA agreement to centralise television rights from 2014 has given us the ability to reduce ticket prices in the general admission and Vantage areas while remaining on target to repay our commitments to Aviva Stadium in full by 2020. The offer for Vantage seats will be open to existing holders to reward them for their support of Irish football and will enable the purchase additional seats on an annual basis from €300 per annum in Vantage 4. This offer will include access to all home international games, the FAI Cup final and first option on tickets for concerts taking place in the stadium."
The Vantage reward scheme will also apply to V3, €400, V2, €500 and V1, €600 per annum.