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What can the RLWC learn from the 2015 Asian Cup?

Burns

First Grade
Messages
6,298
I've been thinking over the past few days that the Asian Cup and our Rugby League World Cup have much in common.

We have 14 teams compete, to soccer's 16. We played a total of 28 games in 2013, the Asian Cup plays 30. There are 3-4 teams in both tournaments that have the capability go undefeated in group stages and win the competition.

Yet it would appear the major difference between the two tournaments is a combination of media perception and management. The press reaction and coverage of the Asian Cup has been largely positive and supportive, assisting the surprisingly high crowd average attendance of 18,683 so far. Undoubtedly the Asian Football Confederation has more financial clout to spend the RLIF will in 2017. Let me provide an example with marketing.

I'm based in Newcastle and we have held three out of four games so far. On each game day the Newcastle Herald has a promotional wrap around featuring details of the game, the teams playing, as well as ticketing information. I feel this simple yet highly effective form of marketing is what the 2017 Rugby League World Cup must perfect if we are to capture the minds of the Australian/New Zealand public. As noted, this may however come back to budgetary restraints.

So what else can we learn? As was done during the 2013 World Cup a bidding process is a fantastic scheme. Yet the Asian Cup matches taking place along the Eastern coast of Australia has also been beneficial to that tournament. how do we approach the issue of what cities shall host matches, particularly when New Zealand is considered?

One last word on ticketing and costs. Group stage matches went from $15 per adult and $5 per child. I was unable to find how much tickets were priced for here in 2008, but an aggressive low barrier of entry is something we must also follow.

Over to you guys, what can we learn from the our hosting of the Asian Cup and how can we build upon the legacyof the 2013 Rugby League World Cup?
 
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DC_fan

Coach
Messages
11,980
Probably not much. Most league people think the game is so much better then Soccer that we can't learn anything from that sport
 

Eddie Lab

Juniors
Messages
2,410
probably ticket pricing and camping teams in certain area's. I think the Samoan/Australia game cost way too much compared to some of the prices.
 

miguel de cervantes

First Grade
Messages
7,491
Gotta get the media onside 100%. WC17 will come and the usual voices will come up bashing the thing and international league. Just ruins the mood.
 

Big Sam

First Grade
Messages
8,976
Gotta get the media onside 100%. WC17 will come and the usual voices will come up bashing the thing and international league. Just ruins the mood.

The general media is not exactly onside for the Asian Cup. Plenty of cricket and AFL journos have been knocking it because it's not doing as well as the Big Bash junket.

But journos of the sport itself are certainly onside. That is a problem that only RL faces in the country. Every other sport's journos act as cheerleaders and promoters whereas RL's do the opposite.

Who knows what the media landscape will be like in 2 years' time though?
 

roughyedspud

Coach
Messages
12,186
One last word on ticketing and costs. Group stage matches went from $15 per adult and $5 per child. I was unable to find how much tickets were priced for here in 2008, but an aggressive low barrier of entry is something we must also follow.

tickets for the group games in 2008 where way too cheap imo....my ticket to stand on the hill for the england v png game cost me $6
 

Jim from Oz

Juniors
Messages
812
Proper pricing is vital … until we can make the RLWC a "must-see" event, we gotta encourage big crowds !
 

Eddie Lab

Juniors
Messages
2,410
I want to get to as many games as possible. started a little piggy bank on the side for shrapers so I can make a tour of it. not sure how but I hope the draw accommodates fans that want to get to most games.
 

deal.with.it

Juniors
Messages
2,086
Cheap tickets (i.e. $5-$20 for regional games/minnow teams) and $10 - $40 for major matches would ensure sell outs.
If you line the pitches with international sponsors, it's hard for the knockers to find many flaws.
Works for the Asian Cup with Qatar companies lining the pitches and packed stadiums.
--
I also think it's vital to have the matches covered by as many nations as possible. It's worth giving the USA, Asia etc. rights to some matches (particularly with their teams playing) than not at all.
Make your money from the Aus, NZ, UK market, and help the sport grow in the rest of the world.
 

Misanthrope

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
47,624
It's a fine line you have to tread. I'd rather see 30,000 people at a game paying $6 a ticket than 5000 at a game paying $20 or $30.
 

deal.with.it

Juniors
Messages
2,086
No one turned up to the city country at Coffs because the tickets were way over priced in a regional city that has huge unemployment and an aging population.
 

roughyedspud

Coach
Messages
12,186
well the grandstand tickets where way too much....but $20..maybe $15...for a cityvcountry game is about right imo


maybe if you got $15-20 for GA and $30-40 for the posh seats??
 
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