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Criticism Mounts for England's World Cup Semi-Final

Criticism Mounts for  England's World Cup Semi-Final
Published 1 years ago on Oct 20, 2023

However, controversy and dissatisfaction loom over the event as ticketing policies implemented by the tournament organizers come under fire. The primary issue at hand is the substantial number of empty seats expected in the stadium, a situation primarily attributed to the exorbitant prices charged for match tickets. 

England fans were out in force for the World Cup quarter-final against Fiji in Marseille

France 2023, the organizing body for the Rugby World Cup, has faced considerable backlash for its ticketing strategies. The controversy intensified due to their apparent monopoly over ticket sales. In a move to ensure their complete control, the organizers took several secondary ticketing platforms to court earlier this year. As a result, they maintain a strict policy that any returned tickets must be resold exclusively through their official website at their original face value, which has deterred many potential ticket buyers. 

This inflexible approach has led to more than two thousand tickets remaining available for resale on World Rugby's website. The semi-final, which is a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final, sees prices soar up to £300. Additionally, hundreds of premium seats, priced at an astounding £500, remain unsold and are still available for general purchase. 

This ticketing approach stands in stark contrast to other major sporting events, such as Premier League football and English cricket, which have partnered with ticket resale platforms like StubHub and Viagogo. These partnerships have allowed fans to access returned tickets at discounted rates and provided those who cannot attend games the opportunity to recoup some of their costs. 

Argentina fans had to pay up to £500 to watch Friday's semi-final against New Zealand

Cris Miller, the Managing Director of Viagogo, expressed concern over these anti-competitive ticketing policies, emphasizing that they ultimately harm fans by limiting their choices, flexibility, and access to these monumental events. Miller stated, "Fans want a transparent, competitive, and regulated secondary market, and that is why it is essential we provide a safe and open marketplace to help them gain access to events." 

As the Rugby World Cup semi-final approaches, the spotlight is firmly on the organizers, with critics and fans alike hoping for a resolution to ensure that as many spectators as possible can enjoy the action-packed showdown. The event is a significant moment in the world of rugby, and many supporters are eager to be part of it, provided that they can do so without breaking the bank.

Rugby World Cup 2023

The Rugby World Cup 2023 is the 10th edition of the Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for rugby union national teams. It is taking place in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023 in nine venues across the country. The opening game and final will take place at the Stade de France, north of Paris.

Rugby World Cup Winners

The current Rugby World Cup holders are South Africa, who won the 2019 tournament in Japan. The other winners of the Rugby World Cup are:

  • New Zealand (1987, 2011, 2015)
  • Australia (1991, 1999)
  • England (2003)

Rugby World Cup 2023 Table

The Rugby World Cup 2023 table is not yet available, as the tournament has not yet been played. However, the 2023 Rugby World Cup draw was held on 14 December 2022, and the following are the pools:

Pool A: New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia

Pool B: South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Romania, Tonga 

Pool C: Wales, England, Fiji, Australia, Georgia 

Pool D: Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Chile, Portugal 

Rugby World Cup 2023 Tickets

Tickets for the Rugby World Cup 2023 are on sale now. You can purchase tickets on the official Rugby World Cup website.

Rugby World Cup 2023 Results

The Rugby World Cup 2023 results will be available on the official Rugby World Cup website once the tournament begins.

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