The 74,500 capacity Cardiff ground has reached its attendance optimum more than two months ahead of kick-off against the All Blacks and the other matches in the series, against Australia, South Africa and Georgia, are also on target to achieve bumper audiences.
Over 55,000 tickets have gone for the Under Armour Series opener against the Wallabies on Saturday 11th November, a figure which already surpasses the attendance at the same match last year.
Both Georgia – which is the second game of the series on Saturday 18th November – and the Springbok’s, who visit on the final weekend of the campaign (2nd December), are also attracting intense interest.
Over 210,000 tickets have been sold so far across the four match series in total, fast approaching the overall attendance figure for both last year’s and the 2014 autumn matches already, with the newly priced £45 ticket proving to be the most popular available.
But also, a new pricing structure, which means a parent and child can now watch South Africa for £60 and, for Georgia, prices start at £20 for adults with over two thirds of the stadium available to under-16s at the concessionary price of £10, has been an important factor for supporters.
Remaining tickets to watch the Wallabies, Georgia and Springboks take on Gatland’s men in Cardiff are available directly to the public from official WRU outlets and from a rugby club near you now – with a new selection of seats recently released after club members and debenture holders where given first refusal.
The Warren Gatland/British & Irish Lions-factor has obviously captured the imagination of the proudly loyal, rugby-mad Welsh public, with the All Blacks’ visit to Cardiff billed as a Lions re-match by many.
Gatland and a large contingent of Welsh players and coaching staff were part of the Lions party which masterminded a series draw against the All Blacks just a few weeks ago – a historic tour which saw the hosts lose on home soil for the first time this decade.
Jamie Roberts, the Wales centre and former Lion who has been capped 93-times by his country and captained Wales on their recent summer tour against Samoa and Tonga, is not surprised by the pulling power of the Southern Hemisphere superpowers.
“When the All Blacks come to town it’s one of the greatest challenges in rugby, probably the greatest challenge,” said Roberts.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play them quite a few times, they are regarded as the best team in the world and with good reason.
“They are ruthless for 80 minutes the skill set of all their players is pretty special. You know you are in for the toughest game of your career, it’s unlike anything you have experienced before and, mentally, it’s the most challenging.”
But, whilst Roberts would obviously relish the challenge of facing the All Blacks again, he admits that Wales also have some unfinished business against Australia.
“The Wallabies are first up and they are a very strong side,” he added.
“They’ve certainly got the better of us the last few times we’ve played them, a lot of those games by one score.
“We last beat Australia in 2008 in Cardiff and the records are pretty impressive for them, but pretty tough reading for us.
“They are a team that just keep coming at you, especially off first phase. They are one of the best teams in the business at exploiting space off starting plays.
“When you play against Australia you spend most of the week making sure you can defend against them, but they are a team we are desperate to beat.”
WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips believes a new pricing structure for the Under Armour Series is responsible for attracting the bumper crowds set to fill the home of Welsh rugby across all four matches in 2017.
For matches against Australia, Georgia and South Africa prices are the same or significantly below those for equivalent matches in the series since 2010.
A total of 48,000 adult tickets across two matches (Aus, SA) have received a significant 25% reduction on previous autumn series prices and 150,000 U16s tickets have been made available across three games (Aus, SA, Georgia).
“We have an exciting Under Armour Series ahead with Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa all coming to Cardiff and we want to make these games as accessible as possible, so that more rugby supporters have the opportunity to support our national team live at Principality Stadium,” said Phillips.
“A new pricing structure reflects our ambition to sell-out the venue across all four matches, whilst also hitting our targets for investment back into all levels of the game
“We know we have the greatest rugby stadium in the world in Cardiff and we look forward to it being packed out to its rafters for this mouth-watering Under Armour Series.”
For tickets to watch Wales play Australia, Georgia or South Africa visit www.wru.wales/tickets or contact your local club.
Official Hospitality Packages are available from 02920 822 413 or visit www.wru.wales/hospitality and official travel packages can be purchased from the WRU’s official travel supplier, Gullivers Sports Travel by visiting www.gulliverstravel.co.uk .
The WRU’s official resale marketplace, which gives clubs the opportunity to re-sell a limited selection of their allocated tickets to the general public, can also be found at www.seatwave.com/wru
Under Armour Series 2017 fixtures:
Wales v Australia, Saturday 11th November 5.15pm. Remaining prices available – £70, £60. £45 (new category (U16: £15). (NB tickets in the £35 and £25 category have sold-out for this game) BBC Two.
Wales v Georgia, Saturday 18th November 2.30pm. Prices – £35, £20, (U16: £10). BBC One
Wales v New Zealand, Saturday 25th November 5.15pm. Prices – SOLD-OUT. BBC Two
Wales v South Africa, Saturday 2nd December 2.30pm. Prices – £70, £60. £45 (new category) (U16 concession: £15). (NB tickets in the £35 and £25 category have sold-out for this game) BBC One.
*Please note all TV schedules are subject to change
