The South African Rugby Union (SARU) confirmed today that ticket prices for the popular Nelson Mandela Bay SA Sevens tournament in Port Elizabeth remain unchanged from last year. SARU made the announcement at the tournament launch which took place under the Humewood Bridge in Port Elizabeth.
The unchanged ticket prices mean rugby fans will be able to watch a full day of thrilling international Sevens action from as little as R80 at South African rugby’s biggest party at the magnificent Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 8 and 9 December 2012.
The NMB SA Sevens is round three of the HSBC Sevens World Series, which kicks off this coming weekend at the Gold Coast in Australia.
From today and from anywhere in the country, rugby fans will be able to buy tickets online and from any Computicket outlet.
Following market research and a positive response from stakeholders and rugby fans, SARU changed the event days of the tournament to a weekend format, bringing it in line with some of the major Series events such as the Hong Kong and London Sevens.
Ticket prices for the Saturday are as follow: Upper Tier R80, Lower Tier R120 while premier seating on the Main Stand costs R250. The different admission prices for Sunday are: Upper Tier R100, Lower Tier R150 and premier seating on the Main Stand R300.
Speaking at the launch, Andy Marinos, the SARU GM for Commercial and Marketing, said rugby supporters will definitely get full value for their money at this highly anticipated event.
“SARU have lined up a top-class entertainment programme for our supporters and we believe that, with the new elements we have managed to add to this year’s programme, we will soon establish the Nelson Mandela Bay SA Sevens as one of the stand-out tournaments of the World Series.
“This year we will have the Party Stand on the Lower South Tier, so we expect that area to be jam-packed with bright coloured, fancy dressed fans. On the Saturday evening supporters will be able to watch a free music concert featuring musical acts by the outstanding DJ Reddy D, The Graham Watkins Project as well as Good Luck bands. This will be exclusively for Saturday match-ticket holders,” explained Marinos.
EPRU President Cheeky Watson was upbeat and pointed out that 2013 could be a really bumper year for Port Elizabeth with the EP Kings possibly ascending to the Premier Division, the admittance of the Southern Kings into Super Rugby and another year of Sevens rugby with the possibility of five more years of the tournament being held in Port Elizabeth.
The 2011 Sevens tournament saw 40 000 fans through the gates and SARU are aiming to make this year the biggest party ever with a target of 80 000 fans over the weekend. Moving the tournament to the weekend is part of this strategy to reach as many sevens fans as possible.
Another interesting addition to the exciting entertainment programme is the inaugural PE Tens, which will kick off on Friday 7 December on the outside fields of the stadium. Organised by former Springbok Sevens star and Springbok captain Bob Skinstad, the PE Tens hope to follow in the footsteps of the famous Cape Town Tens, which every year attracts hundreds of social rugby players and are watched by thousands of party-going spectators.
Rugby supporters can buy tickets online via Computicket or nationwide at kiosk counters in Shoprite and Checkers outlets.
Cheeky Watson at the 2012 NMB 7′s Launch on Humewood Beach, Port Elizabeth
Prices on Saturday
- Lower Tier – North – R120
- Lower Tier – East – R120
- Lower Tier South – Party Stand – R120
- Lower Tier West, Premier Seating – R250
- Upper Tiers Levels 5 6 – R80
Prices on Sunday
- Lower Tier – North – R150
- Lower Tier – East – R150
- Lower Tier South – Party Stand – R150
- Lower Tier West, Premier Seating – R300
- Upper Tiers Levels 5 6 – R100
