State of Origin tickets costing families up to $825

THE exorbitant cost of Origin tickets is pushing the spectacle out of reach for the average family, according to Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher.

Gerard Fitzsimon (centre) with his boys Isaac, 9, (left) and Tom, 11. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

THE exorbitant cost of Origin tickets is pushing the spectacle out of reach for the average family, according to Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher.

Long-time Origin attendees are being forced to watch from the living room instead of by the stands as Suncorp Stadium ticket prices become more unaffordable.

“You can argue all day that supply and demand prevails, but you can get to a point where people will say it’s too expensive to take a family,” Mr Hatcher said.

“While there are various grades of tickets, it’s still to the average family, in the current economic circumstances … very expensive. But everything else has gone up so significantly, obviously it is, to an average family, I’ve got to say, it is expensive.”

An NRL spokesman said more than 30,000 General Public tickets had been sold for Game Three on July 11 “highlighting the strong demand from supporters”.

But when the Maroons play the Blues at Suncorp Stadium a family of four can expect to pay anywhere from $345 for to $825 across all categories including the Maroons Members and Blatchys Blues. General admission bronze category seats have already sold out at Suncorp Stadium.

At Sydney’s ANZ Stadium for Game Two of the series on June 24, a family of four can find tickets from $175 to $605 across all categories.

At the MCG in Melbourne for the series opener a family of four will be able to secure tickets from $130 to $1065.

Gerard Fitzsimon with his boys Isaac, 9, (left) and Tom, 11. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

The NRL spokesman claimed fans had been able to attend all three matches from “as little as $50 for adults, while family tickets have been available for $145”.

“Ticket prices have remained consistent in recent years, as has the number of tickets allocated in the bronze category.”

The spokesman did not answer how many bronze category tickets there were at Suncorp Stadium compared to more expensive categories.

Teacher Gerard Fitzsimon has cheered the Maroons on in every Brisbane game since 1983. But with just over a month to go, he’s considering breaking a family tradition he’s followed since he was seven.

“I guess when you can compare it to other things you can do with that money it’s becoming out of reach for the average fan,” he said.

“I’m from a fairly strong rugby league-loving family, and it’s just something I’ve always done and always wanted my boys to experience that as well. It’s hard to justify spending close to $600 on one night of football when you have other expenses?”