Despite a crowd-luring India-Pak match, the ticket prices don’t seem to woo the Fans

The much-anticipated India-Pakistan match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, set for June 9, may not be sold out, contrary to the usual fervour surrounding this rivalry.

Reports indicate that Nassau County International Cricket Stadium might see empty seats, a surprising development given the intense excitement typically associated with these matches. Even the India-Ireland game suffered from low attendance despite India’s global appeal. Cricket journalist Peter de La Penna, based in the USA, highlighted a fan’s discontent: after paying $350 for a premium ticket, the fan found himself in an unshaded area without the promised amenities. Such experiences have dampened enthusiasm among supporters. Additionally, opaque ticketing policies and alleged black-market sales have exacerbated the issue. General admission tickets for the India-Pakistan game are priced at $300, with premium tickets ranging from $2,500 to $10,000—prohibitively high for many fans, particularly within the South-east Asian community within New York, the significant spectators. Pew Research states that in the USA, Asian households with lower income have a median monthly income of $2,625, while those in the middle-income bracket earn a median of $9,300 per month. Expecting fans to spend such substantial amounts on tickets is unrealistic.

General admission tickets are sold out, with black-market prices soaring between $1,200 and $1,400. This high cost likely leads to many fans needing help to afford tickets, potentially resulting in empty seats during the match. India’s matches are scheduled at 8 PM IST, ensuring convenient viewing times for fans back home. While this caters to the massive viewership in the subcontinent, the high ticket prices in the USA raise questions about promoting the sport in America. Even though the USA recently triumphed over Pakistan in cricket, the high cost of tickets could potentially discourage local spectators and impede the sport’s expansion in the area. As cricket gains global traction, balancing accessibility for local fans with catering to international audiences is crucial. The pricing strategy for the India-Pakistan match might need reevaluation to ensure fuller stands and a vibrant atmosphere. Making sure that access is affordable can help build a dedicated group of fans in emerging markets, which is crucial for the sport’s worldwide growth. While the scheduling favours India-based fans, the high ticket prices in the USA suggest that more needs to be done to make the game accessible and appealing to locals. This balance is critical for cricket’s growth, especially in emerging markets like the USA.