Super Rugby: Unpaid caterers’ bill behind Melbourne Rebels tickets delay at AAMI Park

It’s five days from the debt-ridden Melbourne Rebels’ Super Rugby season opener at AAMI Park – but tickets are still not on sale. The reason why can now be revealed.

An unpaid caterers’ bill was the reason tickets are still not on sale for the Melbourne Rebels’ season opener against the Brumbies on Friday.

Rugby Australia urgently worked out a renewed agreement with the AAMI Park caterers, who have not been paid in a year with the Rebels in a dire financial situation.

Tickets will now go on sale on Monday at 3pm.

Vaiolini Ekuasi runs with the ball during the Super Rugby Pacific Pre-Season Match between Melbourne Rebels and Fijian Drua. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

RA has signed a new deal with AAMI Park for the remainder of the season, and fans can purchase tickets to the Brumbies game this afternoon, just five days before the Rebels kick off their Super Rugby season.

The Rebels are facing the axe after the 2024 season with debts of $11 million and rising.

They entered voluntary administration last week and key staff including chief executive Baden Stephenson were made redundant, while football staff were given revised four-month contracts.

Originally published as Super Rugby: Unpaid caterers’ bill behind Melbourne Rebels tickets delay at AAMI Park