Ryanair’s Italian job is completely offside for rugby fans – Brennan

Irish rugby fans are being charged more than €700 for return flights to Rome for next year’s Six Nations match against Italy.

Ireland take on Italy in Rome on Saturday February 13^th, 2027 and a Fine Gael TD said the early air fares currently online are completely offside.

Deputy Brian Brennan said “The game in the Eternal City takes place the same weekend as Valentine’s Day. Anyone hoping to plan for a romantic time away and la dolce vita will have to dig deep to pay for Ryanair’s air fares alone.

“On the same day the fixtures were announced (Monday), the cheapest option online with Ryanair to fly to Rome the day before the 2027 game was €276 and a further €333 to return home the day after the match. That was the cheapest routes I could find on the Monday night – over €600.

“Other flights to Rome on the Friday were priced at €379 and a further €388 return on the Sunday evening. That’s €767 for two flights between two European capital cities.

“And that’s before you decide on seats, luggage, priority/non priority – all the hidden extra charges that get knocked on,” Deputy Brennan said.

“This year’s Six Nations championship hasn’t yet concluded and this is what Ryanair are asking fans to pay next season to support the Irish team in the Italian capital.

“Maybe Michael O’Leary is factoring in escalating prices from events in the Middle East, but when you consider the fares on offer for the weekend before next year’s match in Rome – it is completely offside for all rugby fans.

“A person can travel to Rome the Friday beforehand (February 6^th) for €146 on any of Ryanair’s three flights from Dublin and home again on Sunday, February 8^th for either €146 or €160. That is a vast difference in a week.

“Rome is well serviced. The game is so far ahead, more than 11 months away, other airlines – in competition to Ryanair – aren’t even on the pitch yet and haven’t got their schedules announced.

“There will be a lot of options to get there but airlines like Ryanair should not be seeking extortionate rates now.

“Dynamic pricing is something everyone has to contend with but there is also unfair pricing for sporting events like this,” Deputy Brennan said.