Why I am watching the Lions series from my couch

Interesting. A six pack of good 1664 beer at my local supermarket here in Paris costs €3.65 (about AUS$4.50). Tickets to France v Scotland in the 6 nations in a famous historic stadium: five categories, from 15 to 110 euros. So what is going on with prices in Australia !?

Fair enough and you are welcome to it, but Test prices for League are about the same as for Union and SOO will set you back a couple of hundred bucks (and that is every year). Guess there must be more than a few GPS types following that too... ;)

Sure they gain in the short term and sell these ones but they alienate the majority for future games so harming the attendances for future tests and potential sponsors when crowd figures plummet. Dumb management and short sightedness that will end up turning off many a rugby follower to going to any games. I thought they were trying to promote the game to a wider audience not just ex GPS types with tonnes of cash. League it is for me. Will sneek a peak though on TV.

Oh stop being such whinging old farts. Once every 16 years......get on it.

im on both sides of the camp. the lions is a premium event and should be priced accordingly. try going to a NY giants regular season game and ending up paying 998 bucks for front middle seats at meadowlands (not the same i know, but whoa!!). however, when rugby in oz should be trying to get more "everyday families" to the rugby, then the prices are crazy. im a forever red member and have a "membership" with the aru via weloverugby, and to get emails boasting of 2 test matches with assorted goodies for the grand sum of $2500, you just have to shake your head. do the ARU ever want to break this "elitist" persona, that rugby has in this country? in saying this, im not a big spender on rugby (ala british lions fans) but for an event like 2011WC (where we spent 7k for 17 matches for 2 people) or the lions series where it is almost a once in a lifetime deal, then 300 bucks for a good seat in a great stadium, is probably worth it. if there is a big test in brisbane (abs,boks) then i'll happily fork out 1000 bucks for 6 seats, to see some good rugby once a year. as with most roarers, the people i have spoken to will not be going to any of the games due to tickets prices, but may go to the reds match. unfortunately its a bit like investing: pay whatever price that will allow you to sleep at night!!

Not a member Juts, this year, plenty of mates who are though and they could get 8

Geez Mania, not sure what beer you are buying that is that cheap, but I am thinking that I wouldnt want to be drinking a dozen of them. Another option rather than taking yourself and the other half to the game ($600) would be to buy a 32 inch Panasonic TV ($429), a carton of decent beer and bottle of vino ($70), a couple of pizza's ($25) and watch the games free to air - with $76 left over and a new TV! Bargain.

The tickets are worth what the market will bear, but they can bear it without me. Too hard when allied to flights and accommodation, as much as it is a rare event. Still, as long as they sell them all and use the money wisely, best of luck to them.

The only way to get the message through to the ARU ( and it applies to pretty much every rugby union) as they charge stupid prices for tickets is to boycot the games. With low attendences to matches that warrant high crowds, they'll start to think what's wrong. Common sense would prevail for the ARu to have 80,000 fans with lower ticket prices, than 45.000 fans with higher prices. I also think they should support their 'own' fans by giving them the cheaper tickets for the Lions than all the Brits travelling from the UK, because quite frankly they tend to be the rich buggers who can afford it and the time off work. I don't know if they already do that for members of the reds, tahs, etc?

We would not pay that amount to watch a match. Being at the game is great for the atmosphere and the bantering with people around but is mostly friendly that is unless the Wallabies loose to the All Blacks. How will the crowd feel If the Lions were to win . I think they would be very upset they had spent all that money

I am absolutely appalled....the ARU must have a serious substance abuse problem in their boadroom if they honestly believe that their product is worth this kind of money. I mean, even for the North Shore set $295 bucks (I am betting) is hardly loose change. Even more obscene is the fact that the Bronze (read, rubbish) seats would set you back $95 a piece is proof that the St Leonards bunker has finally let go its tenous grip on reality. It is perhaps no wonder that I, like many others, are now being madly spammed by the ARU with messages imploring us to snap up tickets before the great unwashed have their chance. Methinks that the public, not being total fools, will pass on this 'unique opportunity' also. What a disgrace

Yeah jeznez with coconut cream and chop suey. Taro is the steroids of the pacific

mania, you got a side of taro with that KFC? Got a Samoan mate in London and that was his crave meal.

It was like the June series. They were bigging Wales up as reigning 6N champions to justify the high prices. The fact that the Lions is a unique event and occurs every 12 years makes it easier for price makers to grab you by the balls. Apart from the atmosphere, I don't think it'll be thrilling rugby anyway. Watching it at home is better. You don't have people standing up and blocking your view. You can see the play clearer and plus you are more comfortable. No doubt the politicians who know diddily about rugby, will get free seats and tickets like at the Origin.

They will sell out, most of the tickets are already gone. You're right though, It's a cash grab, so lets hope they use the money wisely.

That reminds me of the email they sent out asing for Wallabies memberships at a rate of $2500 and you literally got 2 game tickets and then a bullet point list of things to feel good about rather than actually dollar value. Hard to try and sell rugby as a game that values the greater population with stuff like that.

Likewise, i've opted not to be at the test but to watch the NSW/QLD Country v Lions in Newcastle for $15 and then Waratahs v Lions for $20, i cannot understand the absurd prices for the tests which they no probably won't sell out. Another poor decision by the ARU in attempt to recoup costs on overpaid players who continually underperform.

I didnt realise u can purchase tix to the lions v rebels game? thought it was for members only. I got a ticket in the bronze section for the test as i have always regretted not going to the 2001 game however it is ridiculous that a game that is trying to remain relevant in the aus sporting landscape would charge such premium prices.

I have been a Reds Member for many years, and I too pulled out of this due to costings of the test. It is crazy money. I was wondering where they got the $70 million figure for the tour, and when I saw the prices the penny dropped. As you say, the ticket, plus the audacity of the grounds to charge about $15 for a coke and a pie is madness.