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Excitement is building among rugby fans in Japan for the Rugby World Cup, the first time the game’s showcase event has been held outside the sport’s powerhouse nations. Rugby World Cup organizers say more than 400,000 foreign visitors are expected for the 48-match tournament which kicks off at Tokyo Stadium on Sept 20 and ends with the final at International Stadium Yokohama on Nov 2.
Twelve cities will host matches and while more than 1.4 million tickets have been sold, there are still some great package deals available for fans looking to enjoy a mix of hospitality, atmosphere and some of the best seats at the games. STH Japan, a joint venture between Sports Travel and Hospitality Ltd and Japan Travel Bureau (JTB), still has some great packages that will deliver premium spectator experiences with a blend of Japanese culture, entertainment and rugby action.
In addition to this year’s Rugby World Cup, STH has been the global rights holder for the official hospitality and travel programs for Rugby World Cup 2007, 2011 and 2015. Furthermore, it will offer unique hospitality packages for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
These are exciting times for Brendan Delahunty, president and representative director of STH Japan.
With just a few weeks to go, how is anticipation for the RWC going?
It is at fever pitch. There are several pre-Rugby World Cup test matches taking place across the globe as teams are fine-tuning their preparations. It will be the first time that Rugby World Cup will be held in Japan and Asia, and we will be introducing sports hospitality to this country which brings a huge level of excitement.
How are your preparations going?
STH Japan’s hospitality program is coming to life across all the host cities and venues. In Yokohama, for example, we are constructing our flagship hospitality structure, The Webb Ellis Pavilion. The pavilion will stretch to approximately 3,850 square meters and reach 7.4 meters at its highest point. This will be the largest temporary structure to be built in Japan at a sporting event, requiring a combination of local and international expertise to bring to life.
This pavilion will host 9,100 guests over the course of the seven major matches played in Yokohama. Construction began on June 1 and we will open the doors to guests on Sept 21.
What can fans expect from your hospitality packages?
This tournament will be a once in a lifetime experience for rugby fans and the Japanese people as they host the 3rd largest sporting event in the world. The Official Hospitality program will include the finest dining experiences seen at a sporting event in Japan, fun and lively entertainment in a vibrant environment.
Hospitality packages include, on average, six hours with a client or guest. Building unbreakable relationships and sharing memorable experiences are what it is all about. Sport has this ability to provide a unique experience and bring people together in a non-office environment. You can’t get that experience anywhere else; no expensive dinner or outing can match what sports can.
Are there any packages/tickets left?
Yes, there are, but time is of the essence to ensure you don’t miss out. Semifinal and final tickets are still available to purchase. You can get to the final through one of our Champions, Diamond Dinner and Sport packages.
The Champions package not only gets you a category A final ticket and access to the Yokohama Arena hospitality on match day, but also admission to the exclusive and invitation only World Rugby Awards.
https://hospitality.rugbyworldcup.com/en-GB/packages/champions/
The Diamond Dinner is a formal sit-down dinner with live entertainment held the evening before the final. On match day, you will get access to a supporter pack and enjoy unrestricted views from your Category A seat.
https://hospitality.rugbyworldcup.com/en-GB/packages/diamond-dinner/
The Sport package lets you enjoy the build-up to the match with our lively hospitality before you make your way to the International Stadium Yokohamato watch the action unfold on the pitch.
https://hospitality.rugbyworldcup.com/en-GB/packages/sport/
For our remaining packages, visit https://hospitality.rugbyworldcup.com/en-GB/purchase
What's the best way for fans to buy a package now?
Customers can purchase directly online at https://hospitality.rugbyworldcup.com/en-GB/purchase or contact one of our dedicated account managers by emailing info@sthjapan.com, or calling +81 3 4500 6211
Any predictions on how the teams will do?
Anything can happen at a Rugby World Cup! Look at the last tournament in 2015, when Japan beat South Africa on that momentous day in Brighton.
Japan to qualify for the quarterfinals. The Brave Blossoms only just missed out on entering the next round in 2015. Their confidence will be high with wins against Tonga and Fiji in test matches leading up to this tournament. It goes without saying, the support and environment of playing in your home country can make a huge difference.
STH Japan will also start selling hospitality packages for the Olympics. Can you give us an overview of what is on offer in terms of hospitality and where can people find out more?
The Tokyo 2020 Official Hospitality Office is run by a consortium of STH Japan, JTB and Sodexo.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Official Hospitality Packages offer a range of hospitality options – all located within the ticket perimeter of each venue - that include tickets to watch the Games from the best seats at the venues, as well as first-class dining and entertainment. Seating locations and hospitality service levels differ per product.
Customers in Japan can purchase directly from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Official Hospitality Office by visiting: https://officialhospitality.tokyo2020.org.
© Japan Today
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