NRL 2024: Wests Tigers fans at war with Parramatta Eels over ticket price-gouging claims

A bitter western Sydney rivalry has turned nuclear, with Parramatta officials retaliating to Wests Tigers fans who accused the Eels of “disgraceful” ticket price gouging. Compare the ticket prices.

In a bitter western Sydney battle, Wests Tigers supporters have furiously accused rivals Parramatta of price gouging for their club’s Easter Monday blockbuster – before the Eels retaliated over the cost of sitting on Leichhardt Oval’s famous hill.

Tigers’ fans have urged each other to email the NRL in protest at being charged a whopping $87 for the cheapest seat at CommBank Stadium when the two teams meet for the traditional game on April 1.

A family pass costs $259.

One Wests Tigers fan described the prices as “daylight robbery” with others labelling the cost “outrageous and disgraceful.”

Parramatta hit back immediately, pointing out that a family of four - sitting unseated on Leichhardt Oval’s grassy hill for a March 23 game against Cronulla - would cost $104.

The Eels even sent this masthead a copy of the Leichhardt Oval prices.

Parramatta has 35,000 members with CommBank Stadium holding 30,000 fans – hospitality suites reducing the final capacity to 28,000 seats.

Eels management say the two Easter Monday matches at CommBank have been sold out and insist they are prioritising club members. This year’s game at CommBank is also expected to sell out.

Parramatta has responded to claims of price-gouging for the Easter Monday clash against Wests Tigers. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“There is a high demand for tickets for this game and that’s why our priority is focused on Eels’ members and ensuring we cater for the over 35,000 members we have,” said an Eels spokesman.

“The Eels’ Easter Monday game is one of the major blockbuster games of the season and we are excited to have it return to CommBank Stadium on April 1.”

Parramatta has hiked the ticket costs for this game compared to admission prices for other home matches this season.

The $87 tickets are available to the general public although Wests Tigers members can pay $30 for a general admission seat by using their membership code.

Wests Tigers fans have flooded social media claiming rugby league is no longer a “working class game.”

The fans lined up to kick Parramatta with one saying: “Send an email to Parramatta Eels and the NRL saying that price gouging the public is not acceptable. And most of all, do not buy tickets for these prices.

A single adult ticket costs a minimum $87 for this year's Easter Monday clash between Parramatta and the Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium. Credit: Ticketek.

A family ticket will cost $104 to sit on the Leichhardt Oval hill for the NRL clash between the Wests Tigers and Cronulla. Credit: Ticketek.

“If we do then it’s only saying that they’re right and can charge whatever they want, even though it’s a standard match.”

Another posted: “Just looking at tickets available for Easter Monday. The cheapest tickets are $87 and $259 for a family. Absolutely disgraceful.”

One man posted: “Wow, that’s daylight robbery. Then add the cost to get there and maybe food and drink and it’s a very expensive day out.”

And this: “So much for a working class game, outrageous. I think State of Origin isn’t much more than that. Insane.”

Another comment read: “That’s crazy! It sucks how Aussie clubs pump up the prices on key games like this.”

Yet one footy fan accepted the price increase, saying: “It’s elite sport, pay up.”

The Parramatta spokesman added: “We encourage anyone not a member who wants to guarantee access to this game to buy a one-game membership for the game.

“The current pricing is the initial presale membership price. If there is still capacity available there will be general public tickets potentially closer to the date.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Wests Tigers fans at war with Parramatta Eels over ticket price-gouging claims