The World Test Championship (WTC) is right around the corner with South Africa and Australia gearing up to win the most coveted prize in the longest format of the game. However, in build up to the preparations of the exciting encounter at the iconic Lord’s in June this year, an update on the ticket prices of the WTC finals has emerged as a major talking point in the cricketing world.
Lord’s faces financial setback after India missed out WTC final this time
According to a report by The Times, Lord’s is set to lose almost £4 million in revenue due to India‘s absence from the highly anticipated final. Initially, organisers had priced tickets at a premium, anticipating strong demand from Indian fans. However, with Rohit Sharma‘s Team India missing out on the final, the financial outlook has been significantly affected.
“Organisers had originally priced tickets at a premium rate, believing India fan demand would outstrip supply, but the absence of India has significantly curtailed the financial windfall expected by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), underscoring the financial influence of Indian cricket across the global game,” the report stated.
India failed to qualify for the all-important clash this time around after a disappointing home series loss against New Zealand followed by a 1-3 thrashing the Indian team got from Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia with their thumping win over India and an emphatic white-wash against Sri Lanka now enter the WTC final as leaders of the points table.
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Ticket Price Adjustments to Ensure Full Crowds
In light of the lower-than-anticipated demand, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the owner of the iconic ground, has decided to lower ticket prices. The new prices now range from £40 to £90, which is roughly £50 less than the original rates. This decision was made to prioritise creating a lively and full stadium, avoiding the possibility of a sparsely attended event due to overpriced tickets.
“The decision to be flexible with prices for the World Test Championship final was taken this year, with tickets now being sold at between £40 and £90-about £50 cheaper than they had originally been priced, accounting for the loss in revenue,” The Times report stated.
Even though India has failed to reach the WTC final for a third consecutive time. The pinnacle of Test cricket action is set to be a contest between two giants of world cricket. Australia have played emphatic cricket in the longest format of the game with a long list of seasoned batters and spirited bowlers in its squad. South Africa, on the other hand, is equally enthralling to watch with a remarkable record in Test cricket during the current WTC cycle.
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