Spectators can look forward to one of the most competitive sporting contests ever held in Abu Dhabi when London Wasps take on rivals Harlequins in a mouth-watering and hugely important LV=Cup clash at the end of the month.
Tickets for the LV=Cup game at Emirates Palace on Sunday, January 30, are on sale at the Etihad stores in Al Wahda Mall, Khalidiya Mall, Abu Dhabi Marina Mall, Madinat Zayed and Dubai Marina Mall.
They are also available at the main reception and west wing beach club at Emirates Palace.
Abu Dhabi Harlequins rugby team, who will be taking on Dubai Wasps prior to the LV=Cup match as a curtain raiser to the event, are selling tickets at their base at Zayed Sports City.
Tickets for the grandstand are Dh200 for adults and Dh100 for U16s. Standing tickets are Dh100 for adults and Dh50 for U16s.
It is the first time a competitive British rugby union game has been staged abroad and a milestone for world class sport in the UAE capital.
“This is Wasps against Harlequins – a fixture steeped in tradition - so I guarantee nobody will be holding back when we step onto that pitch in Abu Dhabi,” said Wasps squad captain Ben Jacobs.
“There is a huge rivalry between these two London teams and Harlequins recently beat us during a very tough and extremely physical Aviva Premiership contest and this match will be no different. Fans can expect a fast and hard battle for the full 80 minutes with hopefully plenty of tries.”
“When fixtures go abroad I suppose it is often just for a friendly or warm up game but this is an important LV=Cup game in a competition we want to progress in.
“The incentives to win this game are all there and we want to show Abu Dhabi something they have never seen before.”
The grounds of the Emirates Palace are being transformed into a rugby stadium in time for the game and players, coaches and officials from both Wasps and Harlequins will be staying at the luxury hotel after they arrive.
Under floodlights, the historic contest will be shown live around the world on Sky Sports.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7.15pm UAE time with additional action and entertainment on the night, refreshments and fun for all the family. Kick-off for the curtain-raiser game is scheduled for 5pm.
Etihad Airways, the main sponsor of Harlequins, will be flying both parties into Abu Dhabi for the game.
Once they arrive, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) will be hosting them at the hotel and showing them around the city.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting and innovative LV=Cup match and to be flying the players, coaches, and match officials to Abu Dhabi.
“During the last few years Etihad Airways, as main club sponsor of Harlequins, has played a central role in promoting rugby in the UAE through our rugby schools programme and junior festival, and this historic match illustrates how far the sport of rugby has come in the region.”
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