The buzz surrounding the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2023 has reached a fever pitch, with ticket prices skyrocketing to staggering amounts in the black market.
Reports indicate that tickets for this monumental match are being sold at jaw-dropping prices, reaching as high as Rs 56 lakh (approximately $75,000) in the secondary market. Many tickets are listed in the range of Rs 18 lakh to Rs 22 lakh.
These exorbitant ticket prices have raised eyebrows and sparked concerns among cricket fans and authorities alike. The tickets in question are being sold on Viagogo, a well-known ticket-selling platform that claims to be the “world’s largest source of live entertainment tickets.”
A report by Mint revealed that a single ticket from the South Premium West 2 block at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad had fetched a staggering price of over ₹19 lakh, emphasizing the extraordinary demand for this high-stakes encounter.
Amidst this ticketing frenzy, questions have emerged regarding the legitimacy of ticket sales and the role of BookMyShow, the official ticketing partner for the Cricket World Cup. Fans have expressed astonishment at the exorbitant prices, labeling them as “ridiculous.”
One user pointed out the discrepancy, saying, “Viagogo, a ticket-selling website, is selling tickets at huge prices. This raises questions about how this is feasible when all tickets are officially sold through BookMyShow, the authorized ticketing partner.”
Another user demanded transparency, urging, “@bookmyshow must share some official data citing how many tickets out of 1,32,000 were actually put up on sale and how many they have sold on both dates. And the same data for all matches MUST be shared OFFICIALLY.”
The surge in black market ticket prices is not limited to the India-Pakistan clash alone. Other matches featuring India have also witnessed astronomical demands. Tickets for the India vs Australia match at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai are fetching prices as high as ₹2.85 lakh. Similarly, tickets for the India vs England match at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and the India vs South Africa match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata are selling at ₹2.35 lakh.
As excitement builds for the Cricket World Cup 2023, these soaring ticket prices have generated considerable attention, raising questions about ticket availability, official channels, and the fervor surrounding cricket’s most iconic encounters.
Ajmal Khan