Negotiations for game venues, payment agreements, and logistics have proven to be an enlightening endeavor for the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) as they enter the tier one rugby arena. FRU Board chairman John Sanday shared insights into the agreements established with the rugby unions of Wales, England, and Scotland concerning their home venues for the upcoming Nations Championship in July.
The FIJI Water Flying Fijians are scheduled to face Wales at Cardiff City Stadium, England at Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 11, and Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium on July 18. Sanday emphasized the complexities involved in these agreements, noting the commercial nature of the negotiations.
“There are expenses we must cover and various commercial arrangements,” Sanday explained. “The negotiation has been very much commercial. In fact, it’s confronting, but it’s a good learning curve for us because we now understand how tier one nations manage their matches to generate revenue to support their development.”
Discussions also included ticket pricing and the potential for revenue generation through gate takings. Sanday mentioned, “There is a formula that we have agreed upon with some of the host stadiums that we have to consider. Some other fees arise, which has prolonged the negotiations, but we have recently reconfigured the numbers and arrived at a favorable situation that could yield positive financial results, assuming everything goes according to plan.”
Tickets for the match against Wales will soon be available, with pricing packages designed to attract families. Sanday noted that the Cardiff stadium, with a capacity of 32,500, will offer average ticket prices meant to appeal to families and children, especially during the school holidays in the UK.
“Our pricing strategy is aimed at making it accessible for families, allowing them to enjoy rugby while ensuring that, after accounting for all costs, we maintain a reasonable profit margin,” he added.
With strategic planning in motion, the FRU faces the challenges ahead with optimism, looking to maximize both their competitive presence and financial outcomes in the international rugby landscape.
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