Record sales for Newcastle Euro finals

Wednesday 3 October 2018

Newcastle 2019 has been confirmed as the fastest-selling Heineken Champions Cup final, with fewer than 9,000 tickets left on general sale for the showpiece match at St James' Park on May 11.

Organisers EPCR confirmed the outstanding sales figures at Wednesday's official tournament launch in Newcastle, with the 9,000 figure excluding tickets set aside for both finalists.

The European Challenge Cup final on Friday May 10 at St James' Park is also showing very healthy sales, with event director Mick Hogan saying: "The appetite for sport in these parts is just unparalleled.

"Barring the tickets for the two competing teams and some which we have to set aside for hospitality, to have fewer than 9,000 left on general sale seven months out from the event is incredible.

"St James' Park has already shown itself to be a superb venue for the sport with the three Rugby World Cup games back in 2015, rugby league's Magic Weekend and Newcastle Falcons' Big One, and that trend is certainly continuing with very high levels of interest around the European finals.

"The Heineken Champions Cup final will definitely sell out, and will sell out quickly if current figures are anything to go by. And we would also urge people to act quickly to get tickets in their preferred area for the Challenge Cup final, which has shown very pleasing levels of ticket sales so far out from the event."

Newcastle Falcons are playing in the Champions Cup for the first time in 14 years in the season that the finals are coming to the city, director of rugby Dean Richards well-acquainted with the tournament having won it twice during his time in charge of Leicester Tigers, as well as playing in the final himself.

"To bring the finals to Newcastle is absolutely fantastic for the sport in our region, and for Newcastle Falcons as a club," said Richards.

"We have earned a crack at Champions Cup rugby on the back of last season's exploits, we're determined to enjoy the experience and we'll give it our best shot in what is an incredibly tough but exciting pool."

The Falcons open their account away to French giants Toulon on October 14 before hosting Montpellier on October 21 in a group which also includes Edinburgh.

Newcastle captain Will Welch said: "It's great for the Falcons to be involved in the Champions Cup, it's new to quite a lot of us and we're just looking forward to embracing the challenge when it comes around.

"There are some pretty mouth-watering ties when you consider the two French teams and then Edinburgh, which is pretty much as near as you get to a derby when you're from Newcastle. The fact that the finals are in the city adds another angle to it, and it's just an exciting time to be involved with the club."

For tickets, hospitality, accommodation and further information on the European finals please visit www.newcastle2019.com .