We’re expecting 35,000 fans: Blues
Blues boss Andrew Hore says an anticipated crowd of over 35,000 for Sunday’s blockbuster Super Rugby Aotearoa opener against the Hurricanes will have far-reaching implications beyond a franchise, and game, in desperate need of a cash injection.
And with the Highlanders also tipping upwards of 20,000 to attend the competition opener on Saturday night against the Chiefs under the roof in Dunedin, Super Rugby Aotearoa looks set for a spectacular kickoff as the first professional rugby competition in the world to resume after the Covid-19 sporting shutdown.
It is also among the very first professional competitions to be able to be played in front of crowds after New Zealand’s spectacular success in the fight against the killer virus.,
Hore announced yesterday at Blues headquarters that following Monday’s government decision that New Zealand was moving to level 1 under Covid-19 restrictions, thus allowing the gates to open for the revamped Super Rugby competition, fans had voted with their feet.
The Blues chief executive said well over 20,000 tickets for Sunday’s (3.35pm kickoff) clash against the Canes had already been sold in less than 24 hours since the decision to go to level 1. He predicted a crowd in excess of 35,000 could attend what will likely be All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett’s Blues debut against his former franchise.
‘‘[Tickets] are really whipping out the door which is fantastic and I think it’s a sign of the fact that people want to go and have some form of social experience,’’ said Hore. ‘‘It also helps the industry a lot and the industries that feed off our industry. So it’s a big boost for the place.
‘‘We’re thinking in excess of 35,000 [will turn up] which will be an amazing result and will make for a fantastic atmosphere and a massive lift for the players of both sides.’’
The Blues have done their bit to sweeten the user experience, with local transport provided with your ticket, allowing kids to enter free with a paying adult and discounting general admission tickets from as little as $20. But Hore said the almost overwhelming response would provide a much-needed financial boost.
‘‘We won’t know till later [how much] but to give you an indication we were predicting over $1 million in revenue in the month we stopped. When you look at it from that perspective, it’s huge,’’ he said.
‘‘The other thing we’ve got to be mindful of is that this helps us exist in the second half of the year when we don’t have rugby. And although this gives us a bit of a hit to help us get through or address some people’s wages … there’s still next year and considerations we’ve got to put in place. We don’t know what borders are going be like, etc, etc. ‘‘There are not rivers of gold out there and there is going to have to be a very conservative approach. But everybody that buys a ticket, we value it and it will help this place moving forward.’’
Hore said the opening of the gates, and people’s wallets, would ultimately save jobs, both within his organisation and outside of it.
‘‘It even extends to the business that feeds off professional rugby as well. The industries that clean this place, the security staff … this makes a massive difference to getting those industries up and running again.
‘‘People think straight away around the players and coaches but there’s so much more to a professional sporting industry.’’
Hore likened the ticket rush post Monday’s announcement to the interest he experienced working for Canterbury during their ‘90s shield era.
‘‘The buzz around the place yesterday was the same sort of feeling like it was back in the day,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re trying to bring back a bit of old school with the kids going free and after the game Eden Park has said we’re allowed to have fans on the pitch. Those kind of things make for memorable moments when you’re a young person.’’
The Highlanders confirmed yesterday afternoon they had already sold over 12,000 tickets (including memberships) for Saturday’s (7.05pm kickoff) clash against the Chiefs. The Dunedin club is hoping that, with a big student turnout on the day, they could have a crowd of more than 20,000 turning Forsyth Barr Stadium into a cauldron for the return of top rugby.