St James’ Euro tickets selling fast

NEWCASTLE has been confirmed as the fastest-selling Heineken Champions Cup final, with fewer than 9,000 tickets left on general sale for the showpiece match at St James’ Park on May 11 next year.

Tournament organisers EPCR confirmed the outstanding sales figures at yesterday’s official tournament launch in Newcastle, with the 9,000 figure excluding tickets set aside for both finalists.

The European Challenge Cup final on Friday, May 10, at St James’ Park is also showing very healthy sales, with event director Mick Hogan saying: “The appetite for sport in these parts is just unparalleled.

“Barring the tickets for the two competing teams and some which we have to set aside for hospitality, to have fewer than 9,000 left on general sale seven months out from the event is incredible.

“St James’ Park has already shown itself to be a superb venue for the sport with the three Rugby World Cup games back in 2015, rugby league’s Magic Weekend and Newcastle Falcons’ Big One, and that trend is certainly continuing with very high levels of interest around the European finals.

“The Heineken Champions Cup final will definitely sell out, and will sell out quickly if current figures are anything to go by. And we would also urge people to act quickly to get tickets in their preferred area for the Challenge Cup final, which has shown very pleasing levels of ticket sales so far out from the event.”

Newcastle Falcons are playing in the tournament for the first time in 14 years in the season that the finals are coming to the city.

Director of rugby Dean Richards won it twice during his time in charge of Leicester Tigers, as well as playing in the final himself.

The Falcons open their account away to French giants Toulon on October 14 before hosting Montpellier on October 21 in a group which also includes Edinburgh.

Newcastle captain Will Welch said: “It’s great for the Falcons to be involved in the Champions Cup, it’s new to quite a lot of us and we’re just looking forward to embracing the challenge when it comes around.

“There are some pretty mouthwatering ties when you consider the two French teams and then Edinburgh, which is pretty much as near as you get to a derby when you’re from Newcastle.”

■■ Further information at www. newcastle2019.com