Ive just recieved an email from Edgbaston regarding tickets for next years Ashes series. Tickets this year were £55-£60 for both the test and NZ ODI, and the previous ashes tour the tickets were, if i remember correctly, £45 (we went on the Sunday!)
Heres what the email said;
Having read through the internet a bit, it seems like the Oval may be charging something approaching £100, with Lords doing similar.
The problem is, whilst they might get a decent crowd on one day (especially if they get the corporates in), the general public, particularly those students amoungst us (me included) who make up a large portion of the crowds, are almost being completely priced out of watching one of the best sporting events in the country.
I suspect if i say to people who i plan to go with that the tickets are £75 il get laughed at. And that doesnt even begin to take into account what happens if it rains or is a dull day cricket in general. Edgbaston's policy is on a half refund if theres less than 20 overs bowled, no refund if any more!
Is this getting crazy?
I dont know who sets the prices, i suspect its the grounds themselves as, particularly outside of London there is very little big cricket events on to draw in crowds. But surely raising the prices to such a level is likely to result in a much smaller crowd than ideal with a large portion of the crowd being the suit brigade who can afford it and not those people who bring an atmosphere to a match!
Thoughts?!
Heres what the email said;
£75 :oAhead of the massive demand for Ashes Tickets the Club has set up a dedicated hotline to deal with all the enquiries. The hotline number is 0844 277 1882 and will be live for Members on Monday 11th August from 10.00am. Members tickets will be £60 while all other tickets will be £75 each. Members will have exclusive access until 14th September when previous International bookers from between 2005-2008 will have a chance to purchase before the remainder go on general sale to the public from 1st October. Tickets will also be available online throughout the process.
Having read through the internet a bit, it seems like the Oval may be charging something approaching £100, with Lords doing similar.
The problem is, whilst they might get a decent crowd on one day (especially if they get the corporates in), the general public, particularly those students amoungst us (me included) who make up a large portion of the crowds, are almost being completely priced out of watching one of the best sporting events in the country.
I suspect if i say to people who i plan to go with that the tickets are £75 il get laughed at. And that doesnt even begin to take into account what happens if it rains or is a dull day cricket in general. Edgbaston's policy is on a half refund if theres less than 20 overs bowled, no refund if any more!
Is this getting crazy?
I dont know who sets the prices, i suspect its the grounds themselves as, particularly outside of London there is very little big cricket events on to draw in crowds. But surely raising the prices to such a level is likely to result in a much smaller crowd than ideal with a large portion of the crowd being the suit brigade who can afford it and not those people who bring an atmosphere to a match!
Thoughts?!