Ba is preparing for a large turnout as the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua take on the Brumbies at 4R Stadium, with organisers confirming that tickets will be sold at the stadium gate tomorrow. Ba Town Council Special Administrator Moshim Khan said the match — billed as a historic Super Rugby Pacific fixture for the western town — is expected to draw fans from Ba and supporters travelling from further afield.
“The Fijian Drua head coach has described the stadium as a world-class facility,” Mr Khan said, urging people to “come and enjoy the moment.” He added that food stalls will be on site to cater for spectators, and highlighted the economic benefits the event is expected to bring to the community. “The game is projected to create economic growth for Ba town,” Khan said.
Event organisers have scheduled a curtain-raiser between the Fijian Drua Development side and Ba Rugby at 12:30 pm, ahead of the main game which will kick off at 3:35 pm. At half-time, VT1S artist Liz Vamarasi will perform to entertain the crowd, organisers confirmed. The match day programme aims to showcase local talent while giving Drua supporters a full-day experience around the main Super Rugby contest.
Mr Khan noted that accommodation in Ba remains limited, with most short-stay options currently via AirBnB, but said hotel developments are on the horizon. “We do not have a lot of hotels at the moment, only AirBnB accommodations. But definitely, hotel projects are on the pipeline and should commence this year,” he said, pointing to longer-term plans to boost Ba’s capacity to host major sporting and cultural events.
The Drua’s visit to Ba follows the franchise’s recent push to strengthen ties with domestic rugby and bring high-profile fixtures to provincial centres. The inclusion of a Drua Development side in the curtain-raiser reflects the club’s stated commitment to nurturing local talent and providing pathways from provincial competitions into the Super Rugby environment.
With gate tickets available on match day, organisers are urging spectators to arrive early, particularly for the curtain-raiser and associated activities. Food vendors and halftime entertainment are expected to create a lively atmosphere around the 4R Stadium precinct, while local businesses prepare for a surge in visitors over the weekend.
The match represents both a sporting highlight for Ba and a test of the town’s event infrastructure ahead of planned tourism and accommodation investments. If projected crowds materialise, local leaders say the fixture could strengthen the town’s case for further upgrades and future major events.
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