The cricketing world usually expects electrifying atmospheres when arch-rivals India and Pakistan face off, likening these encounters to a Roman colosseum battle. However, the Asia Cup 2023 match at Pallekele Stadium was an exception, with an unusually subdued atmosphere that shocked spectators and officials alike.
Notably, the stands weren't packed, a rarity for an Indo-Pak cricket clash. "The tickets are not fully sold, as you can see. In fact, the sale of tickets was on even yesterday evening at Kandy and Colombo. There were not many takers for the top-end tickets in the Grand Stand,” an SLC official divulged to PTI, choosing to remain anonymous.
Initially, the cheapest tickets were priced at USD 20 (approximately LKR 6400). However, the price was later reduced to LKR 1500, or LKR 2560 for both of India's matches against Pakistan and Nepal. Yet, the tickets still didn't sell out.
For Varun Ghosh, a business owner in Colombo, this wasn't an issue. "Tickets were readily available. In fact, I got the ticket yesterday in Colombo. We thought tickets will not be available because it is an India vs Pakistan match. But we are not complaining. After all, we can watch an India vs Pakistan match without the frenzy that we often have to go through in India," Ghosh expressed.
The lack of enthusiasm left officials scratching their heads. "It is a bit surprising. I can understand that people may find the Grand Stand tickets costly (around LKR 64,000) but the Embankment tickets are priced at a good deal for them. It is the weekend too. It could also be because of the prediction for the rain during the match," the SLC official stated.
This underwhelming turnout has also impacted the hospitality industry, leaving hotel owners and tour operators disappointed. "We were getting ready for some big rush by the fans. We have seen the fans' response to the India vs Pakistan match. But we still have rooms left in our property, and it is the case with many other places too," said a representative from a leading chain of hotels in the area.
Overall, the surprisingly low fan attendance at one of cricket's biggest rivalries — the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2023 — not only raises questions about the pricing strategy for high-profile matches but also has ripple effects that extend to associated sectors like tourism and hospitality. Whether this was a one-off instance or indicative of a broader trend remains to be seen, but for now, it has left many in the industry puzzled and in search of answers.
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