Hurling is one of Ireland’s native Gaelic games. It is an outdoor team sport played with sticks and a ball. Hurling matches draw huge crowds in Ireland, with tickets highly sought after. Prices can vary depending on the match, venue and seat location. Here is a quick overview of hurling ticket prices:
Senior Inter-County Championships
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship is the premier hurling competition in Ireland. It is organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Prices for tickets to matches in the province championships and All-Ireland series typically range from €20-€45 for adult tickets. Premium or final tickets can cost €80-€90.
Club Senior Championships
Senior club matches within a county typically have lower ticket prices, in the range of €10-€20 for adults. Premium club final tickets may cost up to €40.
Underage Competitions
Tickets for underage matches such as minor (U17) and under-21 championships are usually €5-€15 for adults.
League Matches
The National Hurling League runs from February to April ahead of the championships. Ticket prices are lower, often €10-€20 for adults.
Venue
The venue for a match impacts ticket prices. Games at large stadiums like Croke Park in Dublin are more expensive. Smaller county grounds have cheaper tickets.
Purchase Locations
You can buy hurling tickets directly from a county board office. Tickets for finals and major matches can be purchased online via the GAA website. Authorized ticket sellers may also have hurling tickets.
Factors That Determine Hurling Ticket Prices
Several factors account for the variation in hurling ticket prices:
Match Importance
Tickets for major championship or league finals can be 2-3 times more expensive than regular matches. The most significant games like All-Ireland finals have the highest demand.
Venue Size
Larger stadiums that host the finals need to recoup higher operational costs. Smaller county grounds with lower costs can have cheaper ticket prices.
Team Popularity
Games featuring top ‘marquee’ teams like Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary see higher demand, driving up prices.
Stage of Competition
Later stages of the provincial and All-Ireland championships have more knockout pressure, making tickets more sought after.
Opposition Quality
Fixtures between traditional rivals or teams with a history of close matches generate higher interest and ticket prices.
Seating Location
Tickets for uncovered terraces are cheapest. Seats under cover in the main stand are most expensive.
Purchase Time
Tickets bought well in advance are lower priced. Last-minute purchases right before matches can cost significantly more.
Season Tickets
Some county boards offer discounted season tickets to fans who purchase tickets for multiple games. This can represent good value.
Average Ticket Prices for Major Competitions
Here are the typical base prices for adult tickets to the main hurling championship and league matches:
| Competition | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| All-Ireland Senior Championship Final | €80-€90 |
| All-Ireland Senior Semi-Finals | €40-€50 |
| Provincial Senior Finals | €30-€40 |
| Provincial Senior Semi-Finals | €20-€30 |
| Qualifier Matches | €15-€25 |
| Senior Club County Final | €15-€25 |
| National Hurling League Final | €25-€35 |
| National Hurling League Regular Match | €10-€20 |
These prices are for adult tickets bought in advance. Last minute or premium seat purchases could be 50% higher.
Ways To Get Cheaper Hurling Tickets
If you want to get hurling tickets for less, here are some tips:
Buy Early
Purchasing tickets well in advance, especially for major games, saves money.
Join the County Board Club
Many county boards offer discounts on tickets for club members.
Look for Concessions
Students and seniors (over 65s) can get discounted ticket rates.
Buy Upper Level Seating
The highest rows in covered stands are cheaper than lower down.
Choose Uncovered Terraces
Standing tickets on open terraces can be less than half the price of seating.
Attend Less Popular Games
Tickets for less glamorous matches are much more affordable.
Buy Juvenile Tickets
U18 tickets are always cheaper for seniors if you can get away with it!
Join a Hurling Supporters Club
Clubs sometimes get special deals on multiple tickets for members.
Conclusion
Hurling tickets can vary widely in price, from just €5 up to €90 for an All-Ireland final. In general, the bigger the match and venue, the higher the cost of tickets. There are always cheaper options available like uncovered standing tickets or lower profile games. Planning ahead and being flexible on dates can help get affordable deals. The excitement of watching top-class hurling live makes it worthwhile to hunt down those hurling tickets within your budget.