The cheapest ticket in town revealed: The Shute Shield club bucking the trend of rising prices

How much is too much to pay to watch the Shute Shield? BRENDAN BRADFORD dives into ticket prices at every club – and finds the one that’s bucking the trend and keeping prices low.

How much is too much to pay for entry to a Shute Shield match?

Not too long ago, you’d expect to pay from $10 to $15 and would probably get a match day program as well.

But times have changed, as one local punter found out the hard way.

“I walked up to the gates at Sydney University, ready to support some club footy, and it was $25,” our man said.

“I refused.”

Rather than stumping up the 25 bucks at the gates and spending even more on a few beers and a burger inside, he watched from beyond the fence.

“There were another couple of blokes there too,” he said. “They couldn’t cop paying that much to watch club footy.”

They're doing it right at South Districts' home ground of Forshaw Park – where tickets are just $10 a head. Picture: Supplied/Instagram

North of the border, it doesn’t cost a thing to watch Queensland club rugby.

Meanwhile Sydney’s Southern Districts have experienced an immediate benefit after drastically slashing prices.

“We’ve actually dropped our prices to $10 for adults and $7.50 for seniors, plus we’re also offering free entries to all veterans for all matches,” said a source at the club.

“We’re trying to change our model. The club doesn’t see the point in locking out rugby fans.”

The pricing changes had an immediate impact, with Southern Districts welcoming double the amount of paying customers through the gates in round one, while food and beverage sales soared 35 per cent above average.

After hearing of the lower tickets prices, another one of our spies, who hadn’t been to a game of Shute Shield footy since before Covid, went down to Forshaw Park.

The then-winless Southern Districts played the 0 from 2 Manly, and our man was treated to a sensational game, with the home team claiming a last gasp 40-33 victory.

“The atmosphere was good, the crowd was great and the value for money was too,” he reported back. “Not my last trip to Fortress Forshaw.”

My colleague Phil Rothfield kicked off a social media firestorm by arguing tickets for this year’s British and Irish Lions Tour were far too high and locking out a large portion of would-be fans.

It seems that’s not confined to the top level Test match rugby union.

It’s always a good day out at Rat Park, where Warringah play. Picture: Karen Watson

The general consensus among rah rah fans is that $25 is too high – even if many are still willing to pay it for an afternoon on the hill or the grandstand.

Southern Districts’ cut-price tickets is already reaping rewards, but it’s a delicate balancing act.

“It’s a constant battle between the commercial aspect, which requires we generate income to keep the club going, but also ensuring we remain a viable and attractive option,” Eastwood General Manager Robert Frost said.

“That goes for rugby fans, but also the wider community in the area.”

Many clubs charge $20 for a presale ticket online for the diehards who plan their Saturday afternoon Shute Shield fix well in advance.

Most clubs hike the price up when buying at the gate though.

That’s how our man got stung at Uni a few weeks back.

But it’s the same set-up at Eastern Suburbs, where it’ll cost $20 with a pre-ordered ticket, or $25 on the door at Woollahra Oval.

Ditto Warringah’s Rat Park in Pittwater, with the Rats changing from a $20 flat rate in 2024, regardless of when a ticket was purchased, to the more standard higher price on the gate.

Good vibes at Chatswood Oval where Gordon play. Picture: Supplied/Instagram

“Truth be told, a lot of rain days hurt a lot of clubs in 2024,” said General Manager Jake Letts. “This year we followed other clubs in Sydney moving to $20 presale and $25 on the gate.

“It encourages club rugby spectators to purchase tickets in advance, meaning they make a commitment to come to club rugby regardless of the weather. Close to half our games had wet weather last year, which affects income drastically.”

Letts said pre-sold tickets also helps efficiency on game day, and allows the club to plan for catering and any additional staffing, while Warringah’s license for venue hire and game day management costs have also gone up.

The elephant in the room is that Stan Sports now streams every game every week.

While it means club rugby fans have more footy to watch than ever before, it’s had a drastic impact on crowd figures.

One club administrator estimated gate sales have halved since it became possible for rugby fans to watch from the comfort of their own homes.

Our research shows the most expensive ticket online goes for $25 to watch Gordon at Chatswood Oval. That’s a flat rate though, and the Highlanders don’t increase the price on the gate on game day.

Norths, West Harbour and Randwick are all selling $20 presale tickets too.

At Manly, a full priced general admission ticket is $22 online ahead of time.

The Hunter Wildfires are charging just $15 for presale tickets to watch a game at No. 2 Sportsground in Newcastle.

For context, it’s $15 on the gate to watch the Newtown Jets play reserve grade rugby league at Henson Park.

North Sydney Bears tickets are $15 presale and $20 at the gate at North Sydney Oval

A concession ticket at Chatswood Oval costs $15, compared to $11 at Manly Oval, $10 at North Sydney Oval, Concord, Uni and Coogee Oval.

The best deal of the comp though goes again to Southern Districts, where a concession pass is $7.50.

Children are free everywhere except Eastern Suburbs and Randwick, where it’s $5.