Tickets in S'pore leg 3rd priciest

Fans will have to fork out top dollar to catch the world's top sevens rugby talents when they go into action in Singapore in April.

Two-day adult passes for the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens, which go on sale tomorrow, are $100 (free seating) and $120 (assigned seating)

Based on this category, Singapore is the third-most expensive leg in the 10-city World Rugby Sevens Series, behind Dubai and Wellington.

Even so, organisers are confident of attracting a daily crowd of 26,000 to the 55,000-seat National Stadium, targeting families and the local rugby fraternity.

The April 16-17 showpiece marks the Republic's return as a host of the popular global series after the old National Stadium staged a leg from 2004-06.

Prices were pegged to those in other legs such as the iconic Hong Kong Sevens, where a three-day pass costs around $300.

Singapore's Formula One night race and tennis' ongoing WTA Finals also served as benchmarks.

Rugby Singapore general manager Stephanie Wong said fans can expect a "much higher quality of rugby" than the World Club 10s in June last year. The first-of-its-kind tournament charged $70 for a two-day pass, drawing 10,000 fans to the National Stadium.

She said: "We believe Singapore Sevens tickets are very affordable for what is a world-class sporting event. We won't just depend on the expatriate community.

"The Hong Kong Sevens is about partying and drinking but we are more family-oriented."

Wong said around 100 hospitality passes - at $1,926 each - have been sold so far, mainly to companies.

There are plans to set aside family zones which exclude alcohol and will have kiddy musical acts.

A family package - for two adults and two children aged below 12 - costs $324 for two days.

Teacher Aleric Tay, 46, who has two sons, is disappointed that Singapore does not replicate the new Sydney leg, whose two-day adult tickets cost around $50.

He said: "Since it's being held for the first time in a decade, prices should be lower to draw in new fans as well as rebuild a following.

"It would be sad if this becomes another event catered only to a particular crowd."

The eight-month series, which kicks off its latest season in December, features the world's top national teams such as New Zealand and Australia playing the shorter and faster version of the game.

Former England international James Forrester, who attended a ticket launch party at Boat Quay yesterday, said: "From a rugby-fan perspective, it will be a real eye-opener as I'm sure the leading teams will be bringing their stars in their build-up towards the Olympics."

PRICE OF A TWO-DAY ADULT TICKET FOR 2015-16 WORLD RUGBY SEVENS SERIES

MOST EXPENSIVE *

• Dubai: $190

• Wellington: $129

• Singapore: $120

Note: Hong Kong sells three-day passes for $300.

LEAST EXPENSIVE

• Cape Town: $10

• Sydney: $50

• London: $85

SINGAPORE RUGBY SEVENS TICKET PRICES (TWO DAYS)

• Adult: $100 (free seating), $120 (assigned seating)

• Youth (age 12-18): $50 (free seating), $60 (assigned seating)

• Children (below 12): $2

Tickets available at https://www.singapore7s.sg

All prices in Singapore dollars

This article was first published on Oct 29, 2015.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.