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Original poster

Babies need a ticket for the Rugby World Cup Now!

121 replies

jonthebassmon01 · 09/01/2015 23:13

So we've just found out that our baby who isn't born until March will need a ticket to accompany us to the Rugby World Cup matches that we have bought for September.

It's the Olympics all over again, anyone else think this sucks!

OP posts:
rayzin · 10/09/2015 10:11

Just spoke with Jane. One of the email addresses provided in this thread. I emailed her my story last night. Very nice lady. I'll be sending her an mp3 with my story tonight for radio.

Maki79 · 10/09/2015 18:46

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the posters request.

rayzin · 10/09/2015 22:58

Good luck. I just spent the whole night making recordings for the show. ;-)

rayzin · 11/09/2015 09:34

Ok well apparently Brynn is not the guy to speak to in this instance any more. (probably been inundated with calls.) At least its a direct line to bypass the waiting list etc.

He took down all my details and promised to get someone from customer services to call me back.

Yay - Customer services, - the ones that have been so very helpfull (NOT) up to this point.

sigh

Maki79 · 11/09/2015 18:12

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the posters request.

Sootybear123 · 12/09/2015 20:29

I emailed Natalie and Jane but no reply Hmm will be interested to see what comes of it.

Out of interest my mum is one of the volunteers and asked at her training today, the lady in charge of Leeds and Newcastle matches said emphatically no babies would be admitted without tickets. But I guess it depends who you get on the day and whether it's manned entrances. Not sure whether to chance it or not!

Sootybear123 · 14/09/2015 14:23

How did the interviews go?

rayzin · 15/09/2015 09:25

I listened to the piece and was quite disappointed. - It was very short and some RWC2015 representative said that they are doing everything they can to make sure we all get child tickets.... which is a bunch of rubbish.

I had a customer service rep call me on Saturday evening. He said he would help me in this regard. After waiting a while he said that it was taking longer than expected and that he would call me right back.

Its now Tuesday! No call back! - I tried calling the number he called me from a number of times. - Does not connect. - I try calling customer services and usually the call disconnects after listening to automated recordings.

When I eventually did get through to the on-hold queue yesterday I was waiting in the queue for 35 minutes before I gave up.

I've given up hope on this ever being resolved and no longer have the energy to fight any more, I still have a lot of other planning to do for the holiday that does not involve dealing with people that just don't give a damn!

I'm just gonna get on the Plane come 30 Sept and make the most of my UK holiday despite all the ticketing crap.

Blumchen · 15/09/2015 09:34

I've not been able to get in touch with anyone from ticketing either! There is no direct line to speak to anyone and then you're disconnected or cut off after automated messages....... not looking good!

senua · 15/09/2015 09:50

This was on Radio 4 yesterday, on the You & Yours programme. I thought of this thread and wondered if it was any of you.

senua · 15/09/2015 09:57

Oh, have scrolled back now. Was it you Maki? You came across well.

NoManJan · 15/09/2015 13:57

I'm surprised at how short the piece was, especially considering all the media attention that breastfeeding receives. Everyone came across really well but it doesn't seem as though there's any resolution.

Mummymiley · 15/09/2015 16:00

I've currently be in a phone queue for 30 minutes!!! I spoke to someone yesterday who said they would get someone to call me back by 3pm but I've still not heard from them! Totally appalled!

There's a good article on Walesonline and yesterday you all came across great on Radio 4 but it doesn't appear to be getting much press or air time!! It might be time to push the breastfeeding rights!!! I am still shocked by this! We have tickets to 9 mathes! My husband is taking his dad with him now to the opening ceremony as I just can't see me getting batting sorted by Friday. I am beyond upset x

bec232 · 15/09/2015 16:12

Sorry if this isn't helpful but i saw is thread and Was chatting to a friend today who is working at a London venue and he said that they have been given strict instructions that all babes in arms must have tickets and that all entrances will be manned. So if anyone is hoping to sneak them in it doesn't look like to will be happening. It's cited as a security issue and security is gonna be very tight.
I wish everyone luck.

Maki79 · 15/09/2015 19:38

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the posters request.

Sootybear123 · 15/09/2015 21:11

I would buy a ticket, but every time I've called or emailed I've been fobbed of that they can't sell a child seat by itself. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm beyond disappointed with how this is being dealt with ??

rayzin · 15/09/2015 21:39

For the 2 games that I needed a child ticket for I've now bought a full price adult ticket to the one an finally managed to get a child ticket to the other. Someone from customer services eventually called me back. Was it from all the times I called them? Probably not! More likely it's from the radio show passing my details on to the rwc pr guy you heard in the interview. Either way. I still spent way too much time, money and effort trying to do what should have been straight forward.
Ps: after speaking to a number of customer service reps it does not appear to be a problem if you get adult tickets in different categories for the baby. In fact the child ticket I got was in a different category altogether. So it seems I wanted money trying to get a full priced cat a ticket to one of the games for my little one. Grrrrrr.

Sootybear123 · 15/09/2015 23:10

www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/rugbyunion/article4557880.ece Piece in the times about it now too. Shane it's taken this long to get picked up on as it's probably too late for them to do anything.

Mummymiley · 16/09/2015 09:44

I was on BBC5live this morning! There is suddenly more interest in the story! BBC TV Lincolnshire now want to talk to me!

However, I do have some good news I hope. Anna Kessel is a sports writer and interviewer for the Observer and Guardian. She has heard about our issue and has been actively trying to help. RWC told her they would help as much as possible and gave her a new number for us to contact which is 0333 003 2015. However, I eventually spoke to someone yesterday and they told me they couldn't give me a ticket to 2 matches and the other 3 they could only sort me £215 tickets. Anna has since contacted Head of Ticketing at RWC and they are apparently going to call me today to sort me out!!! I will update you when they do.

Anna wants to help anyone in the same situation. Please either tweet her on @Anna_Kessel Or email her at [email protected]

I really hope everyone gets sorted. x

Sootybear123 · 16/09/2015 10:25

I have emailed Anna, hopefully she can help!

Apparently the issue was on the Wright Stuff this morning too.

Sootybear123 · 16/09/2015 10:33

Anna has also now passed my number on so I'll be interested to see what happens.

Mummymiley let us know if you get a call!

NoManJan · 16/09/2015 10:48

Rayzin, I've wasted money on a cat a ticket for the baby too which is a shame. Sounds as though there won't be any argument about me, DH and DD sitting together then. Shame there will be an empty seat somewhere though!

Glad this has received more publicity, such a shame that it's so late but I bet a lot of people didn't even think this would be an issue.

Good luck to everyone still trying to work something out.

ali252 · 16/09/2015 22:09

Aware that this is an old post but thought I'd add my comments. I'm a Rugby Referee and naturally applied for tickets as soon as I could - well before I fell pregnant. I now have a 6 month old who I assumed would be able to come free of charge. I found out on Monday I couldn't take her without a ticket. I've since done heaps of research and managed to get her a ticket for £15 +£5 delivery. Even if your match is sold out there are usually a number of seats that they can't actually sell (i.e. behind a camera) If any of these seats are in the same or adjacent sector to your seats, they can sell these to you at a child's rate as they won't actually need to sit on the seat - just need to ring customer service. What I can tell you is that a number of my reffing colleagues who are stewards during the cup have sat in on the official discussions around this topic and they categorically will not be letting people in who turn up to the gate with babies without tickets that is unless they do a huge turn around a la Olympics in the next 2 days. The whole situation is ridiculous. We should be trying to encourage families into the sport, not deter them (such a nicer environment for kids than football) I'll be making a formal complaint to the RFU as soon as.....

quietlaugh · 17/09/2015 09:08

Hello All,

I am in the same boat, baby boy will be shy of 6mo and there are no tickets available in my section (I am being told it has to be in my section) plus the tickets would be £215... :-( I am gutted! I was so happy to finally go to a game at the Millenium (or whatever it is called now)!

I called customer service a few times, no dice. Any other ideas?
I am only travelling from France but it is still a budget!

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