Having recently attended by first rugby game at Twickenham (Allianz), with my dad who was attending his 41st, it was brought to my attention the changes that have occurred over the years.
Firstly the tickets had cost us £80 per person before we had even stepped foot in the grounds (and these were on the cheaper side).
So like most rugby fans, the first thing we made a beeline for was a pint, and at £8 per Guinness, we were down by another £32.
After the 3 hour journey the next thing on our minds was food!
Lucky for us there was countless options, from Greek gyros to the classic pitch side burger and chips, but this again set us back.
My dad insistently reiterated to us: “This all used to be fields, I can’t believe how it’s changed.”
Having not attended a game for 20 years, it was eye-opening to hear the changes that my dad had noticed.
Once we were watching the game, you couldn’t help but observe the ‘fans’ there to take a photo for their Instagram and simply spend money.
There was constantly someone getting up to go to the bar causing the whole row of people to be disrupted and many didn’t hold back when showing their distaste to this.
Mid ruck at the try line, they would come back holding as many pints as one can hold, not batting an eyelid at the most intense moments of the game happening behind them.
It makes you wonder if for many, attending the rugby is purely ornamental, and rugby venues are utilizing this to make money leaving true fans forced to pay the price, literally.
As we left the game, my concerns were solidified when I overheard two men say:
“It’s just a load of razzmatazz now, with a side of rugby.”
Turns out my dad was not alone in his thinking, what once was an exciting day out I fear has become a way to exploit fans for money.
