Bristol Bears will face the newly crowned 2023 Super Rugby Pacific champions and one of the leading club sides on the planet on Friday, February 9th, 2024, when the New Zealand side the Crusaders visit Ashton Gate for a historic exhibition match.
The 14-time Super Rugby champions are the most successful side in the competition’s history and boast some of the game’s biggest-name players, including All Black superstars Will Jordan, Scott Barrett, David Havili and Codie Taylor.
This ground-breaking fixture will be free to 2023/24 Season Ticket holders, seasonal box holders and seasonal Lansdown Suite hospitality holders as a replacement for the home fixture against London Irish, following their exit from the Gallagher Premiership.
The priority sales period starts on Friday, June 30th for Bears Members and Season Ticket holders buying additional tickets. The general sale period kicks off on Friday, July 7th. Adult tickets start at £25 with U12s from £10.
Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “To be able to welcome one of the best club sides on the planet to Ashton Gate is incredibly special and this fixture is a unique opportunity for our players, staff and supporters.
“The Crusaders are the reigning Super Rugby champions and we’re relishing the opportunity to take on the best club side in the Southern Hemisphere at what is sure to be a packed-out Ashton Gate.
“In a chat with my old Crusaders teammate Scott Robertson last week, we both agreed this is going to be something to really look forward to and we’re proud to be hosting them in Bristol.”