JDV is heading for a 74,500 sell-out, with sales well in advance of those for this time last year, meaning a new Regional attendance record should be set at the 2017 celebration of Welsh Rugby.
At this stage in 2016 around 25,000 tickets had been sold for the annual Guinness Pro12 double-header in the Welsh capital – JDIV would later break the attendance record for any match in the history of regional rugby, with 68,262 fans sending national stadium turnstiles spinning.
The previous Welsh domestic record saw 58,000 fans attend the Neath v Llanelli WRU Challenge Cup Final in 1989.
The record attendance at any match involving a region had been 65,756 – when the Ospreys beat Leicester Tigers at Twickenham in the EDF Energy Cup Final in 2008.
Prices have been frozen for the third year running at just £10 per head for each seat in the house as Welsh Rugby pools resources to head for its first capacity Judgement Day occasion.
Cardiff Blues take on the Ospreys in the first clash of the day, kicking off at 2.45pm, swiftly followed by Newport Gwent Dragons versus Scarlets at 5.15pm.
“Current sales rates indicate Judgement Day V will sell-out, which will be a huge fillip for Welsh Rugby,” said Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies.
“Welsh Rugby has worked hard together on this event and Judgement Day has grown in size and stature year on year since its inception in 2012, when 36,000 supporters turned-out for the inaugural double derby day.
“Every year since, the crowd has significantly increased and last season the event really came of age as a true celebration of the Regional game in Wales.
“In 2017 JDV is set to be even bigger and better than ever before.”
Tickets are available at £10 per person from www.wru.wales/tickets (where print-at-home is available), or by calling 0844 847 1881, in person from the WRU Ticket Office on Westgate Street or from each of the four Regions.
Season tickets purchased from either of the home teams – Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons – include access to Judgement Day V, with fans asked to liaise with the respective box offices.