Sri Lanka Cricket has taken a significant step in addressing the issue of dwindling attendance at the Asia Cup by reducing ticket prices by up to 95 percent. This decision comes after the initial ticket costs were inflated by a staggering 40-fold, deterring cricket enthusiasts from attending matches that were played in nearly empty stadiums.
Historically, tickets for One-Day Internationals (ODI) in Sri Lanka have been priced around 250 rupees ($0.78). However, for the Asia Cup, which is primarily hosted in Sri Lanka but organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board, ticket prices soared to 10,000 rupees. This dramatic price hike led to a noticeable decline in attendance, leaving stadiums largely vacant.
In a stark example, only 7,000 local supporters turned up for Sri Lanka’s Super Four clash against Bangladesh at the 35,000-capacity R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This left the hosts grappling with the disheartening sight of rows of unoccupied seats.
In a bid to rekindle interest and draw fans back to the stadiums, Sri Lanka Cricket announced a substantial price reduction of up to 95 percent for all remaining Super Four matches. This inclusive offer encompasses the highly anticipated showdown between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, with tickets now available for as little as 500 rupees.
The exorbitant price hikes had understandably frustrated cricket fans. Last year, Sri Lanka grappled with months of shortages in food, fuel, and medicine due to a foreign exchange crisis, culminating in widespread protests and the removal of its president.
The 50-over Asia Cup serves as a precursor to the forthcoming ODI World Cup, with the majority of matches relocated to Sri Lanka after India declined to tour Pakistan due to political tensions.
A local Sri Lankan official, who wished to remain anonymous, shared insights, stating, “Pakistan have kept the ticket pricing too high and that has kept fans away from the stadiums. Ticket costs are beyond the reach of the common man.”
Furthermore, they expressed the sentiment that “This is bizarre. We tried to reason with the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board), but they had their reasons as they have lost out on money, maybe.”
In response to these concerns, a PCB official stated, “Prices were not an issue for an India-Pakistan match.” They cited weather-related uncertainties as a contributing factor, emphasizing the unpredictability of rain.
However, despite the reduced prices, there was still a notable absence of spectators during the India-Pakistan game, where grandstand tickets were initially priced at a substantial 64,000 rupees ($200). Fans from both nations had eagerly traveled for this highly anticipated clash, with some expressing their concerns about the elevated costs.
A street vendor selling India and Pakistan jerseys and flags remarked that, despite the match’s blockbuster status, there were “fewer fans, and the buzz is less.”
In essence, while the love for cricket remains unwavering, the substantial reduction in ticket prices signifies a crucial step in revitalizing the Asia Cup and ensuring that the sport continues to unite fans from across the cricketing world.
Source AFP
