WASPS VS LONDON IRISH PREVIEW

WASPS PREVIEW

Rugby fans have been urged to arrive early to join in the fun ahead of Wasps’ eagerly-anticipated Premiership match at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday.

Wasps’ Aviva Premiership game against London Irish will beat the current league record of 24,000 set by Leicester Tigers at Welford Road when the teams take to the field for the 2pm kick-off.

Over 27,000 tickets have already been sold but there are limited tickets still available while hospitality is almost sold-out although there are a few executive boxes remaining.

Spectators will have the chance to enjoy fairground rides, a children’s activity area and ice sculptures in a fans’ village in the indoor Jaguar Exhibition Hall from 11.30am ahead of turnstiles opening at noon.

On-site car-parking in car parks A, B and C at the Ricoh Arena have sold out but limited spaces remain in the park and walk sites at Christ the King, Wayside Business Park and St Finbars and bookings can be made via www.ricoharenaparking.com

Singer Jake Quickenden, who starred in The X-Factor and was a finalist in I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!, will be performing a selection of pop songs on the pitch before the teams emerge from the tunnel.

Justine Hewitt, stadium manager at the Ricoh Arena, said demand for tickets remained high.

“Wasps’ first league game at the Ricoh Arena will be a great family day out,” she said.

“We have organised a wide range of pre-match entertainment for all ages and we are encouraging spectators to arrive early since over 27,000 tickets have already been sold.

“The 2,000 on-site car parking spaces have already been snapped up but there is availability at the nearby park and walk sites and we would encourage fans to pre-book rather than wait until the day.

“If you have still not bought a ticket and want to be part of this history-making match, there is no need to worry because there is still availability.”

Tickets are available from £15 from www.wasps.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.co.uk/wasps or by calling Wasps on 0844 847 1867. They are also available from the Ricoh Arena’s Box Office from 10am-8pm tomorrow (Friday), between 9am and 3pm and 6pm-8pm on Saturday and from 10am on Sunday.

Admission for children under ten-years-old is free if accompanied by a paying adult. Hospitality tickets are available only in the executive boxes by ringing 02476 786410.

Members of Coventry City Council’s-run Coventry Passport for Leisure and Learning scheme can purchase tickets for £8.

Visit www.ricoharena.com for directions to the park and walk sites while National Express Coventry is running buses from Pool Meadow Bus Station in Coventry city centre from four hours before kick-off and returning after the final whistle.

A free shuttle bus service is running from Coventry train station direct to the Ricoh Arena from 11.30am.

• The opening times for the Ricoh Arena’s ticket office between Christmas and the New Year for the sale of tickets for Wasps’ fixture against Sale on Sunday, January 4 can be viewed at www.ricoharena.com