Croke Park capacity reduced for Six Nations

The capacity of Croke Park for next year's three Six Nations matches against Scotland, Wales and Italy will be reduced by 5,441 due to the soccer international against Brazil on February 6th ensuring Dineen/Hill 16 will be covered with temporary seating, writes Gavin Cummiskey.

The normal Croke Park capacity for rugby is 81,441 but soccer internationals can only cater for 76,000 due to Uefa and Football Licensing Authority regulations ruling out the use of terracing.

Croke Park hosts Italy on February 2nd at 2pm, Scotland on February 23rd at 5pm and Wales on March 8th at 1.15pm.

"This was agreed by all three parties (GAA, IRFU and FAI) with the IRFU responding to the needs of the FAI in this instance," said stadium director Peter McKenna.

This result is a 57 per cent reduction in allocation of adult terrace (now stand) tickets to the provinces. The Leinster Branch has informed its clubs and schools that the price of these seats will remain at €93 per package and that the price and quantity of school and stand tickets will not be altered.

The IRFU will supply the branches with additional stand packages at €203 each to cover the loss of terrace packages.

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times