LEINSTER SCRAP SEASON TICKETS

LEINSTER Rugby have cancelled ticket sales for next season as chief executive Mick Dawson said the Covid-19 pandemic will have a ‘significant’ impact on supporters. The move was announced yesterday along with a raft of other measures in response to the ongoing public health emergency. There is continuing uncertainty over when spectators will be able to attend rugby matches following the IRFU’s tentative announcement of a return to behind closed doors matches in August. Under Leinster’s revised plans, current season ticket holders will retain the right to purchase their current seat for the 2021/22 season and will receive credit for the three remaining games of the current season, while supporters who bought tickets for those games, or the European showdown with Saracens, will be refunded automatically. Season tickets for 2020/21 had been due to go on sale in March but that was postponed because of lockdown and has now been scrapped. Supporters will now be able to buy any match tickets that do become available through a new official membership scheme, which season ticket holders can avail of from June 8. ‘Cancelling our season ticket offering is an unprecedented step and one that will have a significant financial impact on our organisation but we feel it is the right decision to make,’ Dawson said in a statement. ‘It has been a very difficult time for everyone and nobody knows what the future will look like but as a business, we have to make decisions now based on the best information available to us. ‘The priority now is to finish the 2019-20 season, look after those that have tickets outstanding and then hopefully start the 2020-21 season. ‘Season ticket holders are and will continue to be the foundation stone of our province. ‘Social distancing is imperative as we consider the 2020-21 season. The new official membership offering attempts to maintain critical financial support while protecting season ticket holders’ future rights.’