Commencing on 25th August, the booking of tickets for the World Cup 2023 has taken a unique turn. Unlike previous editions, ticket sales are being rolled out in seven distinct phases, a decision by the ICC and BCCI that has sparked curiosity amongst fans. This strategic approach is an effort to prevent the website from crashing, a frequent issue seen during prior World Cup ticket sales due to the overwhelming demand.
The fervour surrounding India's matches during the World Cup is undeniable. Given that the 2023 edition is set to be held in India, a packed stadium is anticipated for Team India's fixtures. Recognising this, the ICC and BCCI have prioritised ticket releases for matches featuring the nine other participating teams ahead of India's. Additionally, a distinct system has been established for warm-up matches. In the league stage, India will contest in nine matches, with their tickets dispersed across five phases. Notably, the high-octane India-Pakistan match, slated for the expansive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad – boasting a capacity exceeding one lakh – will have its tickets released in the concluding phase.
The rationale behind this phased release was evident during the 2019 World Cup in England, where the site faced crashes during ticket bookings for India's matches. By staggering ticket releases, the ICC and BCCI aim to offer a smoother experience for fans. In an official statement, the ICC emphasised that the phased strategy seeks to cater to the enormous anticipated demand, ensuring a larger number of fans can secure their chance to witness the World Cup.
World Cup 2023 Ticket Booking Schedule:
- August 25: Ticket sales commence for warm-up and all World Cup fixtures excluding India.
- August 30: Booking opens for warm-up matches in Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram, India.
- August 31: Tickets for India's matches against Australia (Chennai, 8 October), Afghanistan (Delhi, 11 October), and Bangladesh (Pune, 19 October) become available.
- September 1: Bookings begin for India's fixtures against New Zealand (Dharamsala, October 22), England (Lucknow, October 29), and Sri Lanka (Mumbai, November 2).
- September 2: Tickets for India's clashes with South Africa (Kolkata, November 5) and the Netherlands (Bengaluru, November 12) are released.
- September 3: Fans can book for the eagerly-awaited India vs. Pakistan match (Ahmedabad, October 14).
- September 15: Tickets for the semi-finals and the grand finale will be available.
Fans and cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting this ticketing schedule, and the ICC and BCCI hope that this phased approach will provide a seamless experience for all.
Procedure for buying the tickets for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup:
1. Visit www.cricketworldcup.com/register.
2. Enter your personal details (such as name, email address, mobile number, date of birth, and country of residence) in the respective fields provided.
3. Choose the cities where you're interested in watching the World Cup matches. In addition to the 10 primary host cities, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram have been included as they are venues for the warm-up matches. You have the option to pick one or several cities.
4. After determining your preferred cities, specify the team(s) for which you'd like to purchase match tickets.
5. If you're interested in receiving future updates from ICC regarding the 2023 Cricket World Cup, tick the relevant boxes. Once done, click on the 'Submit' button.
6. Upon submission, a confirmation message will appear on your screen.
7. Shortly after, expect an email from info@icc-cricket-news.com. This email will provide the World Cup ticket sales schedule, confirming your successful registration.