PRO12 In Line For Best Ever Attendance Figures
The RaboDirect PRO12 is in line to record its best ever attendances since the competition changed to a home and away format ten seasons ago.
Crowds broke through the one million mark in round 21 last weekend, a full round earlier than last season, and with seven games still to play – including the rearranged Beneton Treviso v Connacht game – ticket sales amongst the twelve participating teams have increased by 4.9% compared to this point last year.
RaboDirect PRO12 tournament director David Jordan commented: “This is the third season in a row that ticket sales have broken the one million mark, and each year we are reaching that landmark earlier in the competition.
“The tournament has seen have seen average gates grow year on year since the inclusion of the Italian teams in 2010/11, a testament to both the rugby on offer in all four Unions that participate in the RaboDirect PRO12, and to the fans’ commitment to their teams.
“We have a mouth-watering final round of games yet to come, with five teams still in with a realistic chance of making the top four, and three battling it out to try and secure home advantage in the play-offs, it will be a nerve racking end to the regular season.”
The broadcast schedule for final round of games on Friday, May 3 can now be confirmed:
Connacht v Glasgow Warriors, the Sportsground, 7.45pm – RTÉ Two/BBC ALBA
Leinster v Ospreys, the RDS, 7.45pm – TG4/S4C
Scarlets v Benetton Treviso, Parc y Scarlets, 7.45pm – BBC 2 Wales
Ulster v Cardiff Blues, Ravenhill, 7.45pm – BBC 2 Northern Ireland
Zebre v Munster, Stadio XXV Aprile, 7.45pm local time – SportItalia 2
Edinburgh v Newport Gwent Dragons, Murrayfield, 7.45pm – not live
The order of the PRO12 play-offs can also now be confirmed: Play-off 1 (1st v 4th) will take place on Friday, May 10 at 7.45pm and play-off 2 (2nd v 3rd) will be the following day, Saturday, May 11, at 7.35pm.
Venues and broadcasters for the semi-final ties will be confirmed once the qualifying teams are finalised.