National Express Adding Thousands of Extra Seats for Rugby World Cup 2015

National Express, one of the UK’s largest coach operators, has pledged to add thousands more seats to its network after seeing year-on-year bookings soar by almost a third on services in areas with large numbers of Rugby World Cup spectators.

The 2015 tournament, which will take place 18 September – 31 October, will feature 48 matches being played in 13 match venues across England including Twickenham, Wembley and the Queen Elizabeth Park stadiums in London, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and St James’ Park in Newcastle.

Cardiff to London is the most booked journey during the tournament with sales up 200% year-on-year as rugby fans in Wales bag travel to key matches. That is followed by Bristol to London which has seen a 50% increase in bookings and Leicester to London which has also seen a 50% year-on-year increase in bookings during the World Cup.

Boasting three of the tournament’s venues, London is the most popular match-hosting city to travel to by coach, with nearly 40,000 travelling there during the competition.

London is followed by Birmingham which is hosting World Cup matches at Villa Park, Cardiff which is hosting matches at the Millennium Stadium and Manchester which is hosting matches at Manchester City Stadium.

In a boost to those looking to travel to matches with their friends and family, National Express is offering groups of four or more 25% off the cost of their coach tickets, provided the tickets are booked three days in advance.

The coach operator has also made hundreds of thousands of Funfares starting at £5 available for travel during the tournament.

National Express UK Coach Managing Director Tom Stables said, “With England and Wales hosting the Rugby World Cup 2015, its no wonder that tens of thousands of fans across the country are looking for transport to and from matches to see the giants of world rugby go head to head. We are adding thousands of extra seats to our services and are prepared to keep adding capacity to support as many fans as possible to get to and from the big games.”