The Irish Rugby Supporters Club provides exclusive access and benefits to fans of the Irish national rugby team. As an official supporters club recognized by the Irish Rugby Football Union, membership gives you closer connections with the team and special privileges. But is paying the annual fee really worth it? Here is an in-depth look at what you get from the supporters club.
Benefits of Membership
Some of the key benefits of joining the Irish Rugby Supporters Club include:
- Guaranteed match tickets – Members get exclusive access to tickets before the general public. This makes it much easier to get seats for in-demand matches.
- Discount match tickets – Members can purchase tickets for Ireland matches at discounted rates compared to general public prices.
- Membership pack – Free gifts like scarves, pins, and membership cards sent annually.
- Merchandise discounts – Up to 10% off items in the IRFU online store.
- Newsletter and email updates – Insider info directly from the IRFU covering team news, events, ticket sales, etc.
- Special access to players and coaches – Meet-and-greet events, Q&A sessions, and signings exclusive to members.
- Voting rights – Members can vote at the club’s AGM and have a say in supporters’ issues.
Ticket Savings
One of the biggest perks of the supporters club is access to discounted tickets. Here are some examples of potential savings based on previous ticket prices:
Match | Public Price | Member Price | Savings |
---|---|---|---|
Ireland vs Italy (Six Nations) | €100 | €85 | €15 |
Ireland vs Australia (Autumn Internationals) | €120 | €95 | €25 |
Ireland vs England (Six Nations) | €140 | €115 | €25 |
For big matches against England, France, New Zealand, etc. the savings can be even greater. Over a full year of attending Ireland matches, membership could potentially save you over €100.
Exclusive Merchandise
The Irish Rugby Supporters Club also offers exclusive merchandise that can only be purchased by members. This includes special edition jerseys, polos, jackets, scarves, hats, and more. While the cost of membership is €40, having access to exclusive Irish rugby gear can offset the membership fee.
Here are a few examples of member-only merchandise offers:
- Limited edition green jersey – €90 retail value
- Supporters club jacket – €70 retail value
- Set of 3 supporters club polo shirts – €100 retail value
- Signed rugby ball – €50+ retail value
If you tend to spend a decent amount on Irish rugby merchandise, the members-only pieces can again save you more than the €40 membership cost.
Additional Member Perks
On top of merchandise and tickets, some other member benefits include:
- 10% discount on match day food/drink at Aviva Stadium – Saving of €5-10 per match
- Pre-sale access for tickets to the Vodafone Summer Tour matches
- Digital match day programs for all Ireland matches
- Monthly e-newsletter with behind the scenes news
- Member only competitions and prize draws
- Voting rights at the AGM to have your say
While these may be minor perks for some fans, they add up over the course of a full year. The total savings can outweigh the membership fee cost.
Cost Considerations
The main cost factor is the €40 annual membership fee per person. For a single fan, this may not seem too high given the potential ticket discounts and merchandise savings.
However for families, the cost multiplies quickly. Here are some example costs:
- 1 member – €40
- 2 members – €80
- 3 members – €120
- 4 members – €160
For bigger families, the membership cost may be too prohibitive despite the perks. Discounts like ticket savings are not as valuable if buying for 4+ people.
The membership fee is fixed per person regardless of age, so it’s the same price for children. This makes it less cost effective for families with young kids.
Is a Supporters Club Membership Worth it for Families?
For families, the decision often comes down to these factors:
- How many family members want to join?
- How many matches will you attend annually?
- What is your annual merchandise budget?
- How interested are your kids in the exclusive benefits?
If you have 4+ family members interested in joining, the costs may outweigh the benefits unless you attend many matches annually or want access to the exclusive merchandise.
For families with 1-2 rugby-loving kids, the membership can be worthwhile if you attend 2+ matches per year. The ticket discounts, merchandise, and special access can balance out the fee cost.
Is the Supporters Club Worth it for You?
Here are some final pros and cons to weigh up when deciding if supporters club membership is worthwhile for your specific situation:
Pros
- Guaranteed match tickets before general public
- Discounted match tickets with potential for major savings
- Exclusive merchandise options
- Special access to players/coaches
- VIP treatment and insider info
Cons
- Annual membership fee per person
- Less cost effective for families with multiple members
- Minor benefits like discounts may go unused
- Still an added cost even with discounts on tickets/merchandise
Evaluate your personal situation, interest level, and budget to decide if supporters club membership is a smart investment. The exclusive access, ticket deals, and VIP treatment can provide great value for die-hard Ireland rugby fans. More casual supporters may not use the benefits enough to warrant the annual fee.
The Verdict?
Overall, if you attend multiple matches annually and want special access to the team, a supporters club membership makes sense. The ticket deals, merchandise discounts, and exclusive gifts tend to offset the membership fee cost. Just be mindful of multiplying costs for families with multiple members.
For casual supporters that only attend 1 match per year or less, membership is harder to justify. You likely won’t use enough benefits over a season to warrant the fee. Save your money and buy tickets for the occasional match you attend.
Decide what level of supporter you are and evaluate your specific benefits usage to determine if membership in the official Irish Rugby Supporters Club is worthwhile for you!