The T20 World Cup 2024, being co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies, is encountering notable scrutiny due to low attendance and poor fan experience, especially emphasized during India’s opening game against Ireland. Despite the high suspense, the venue, expected to be filled by fans, had many empty seats, heaving a shadow over the event.
T20 World Cup 2024 Faces Scrutiny Over Low Attendance and Poor Fan Experience
The primary culprits behind the lacklustre turnout seem to be the high ticket prices and the ICC’s marketing strategies. Premium sections like the North and South stands, priced at $1000, saw negligible attendance. Even though official attendance figures haven’t been unveiled, estimations suggest around 20,000 people were there at the match. Many of these lookouts showed discontentment with the facilities provided, given the high ticket prices.
Adding to the problems, tickets for the impending match between Pakistan and the USA on June 6 stay unsold, with high-priced choices such as the Diamond Club ($10,000), Corner Club ($2,750), and Premium Club Lounge ($2,500) still remaining. This lack of sales is compelling anxiety as the much-awaited match between India and Pakistan on June 9 draws closer.
Industry sources predict that the ICC top brass is extremely anxious about the situation. If attendance stays low, specifically for the India vs Pakistan match, the USA leg of the World Cup could be considered a disaster. This game is critical for the tournament’s success in the USA, drawing parallels to the previous India vs Pakistan game at the Narendra Modi Stadium in India, which fetched around 90,000 to 100,000 lookouts.
With not much time left to address these concerns, the ICC faces a notable challenge in increasing fan engagement and attendance. The organization’s pricing and promotion techniques are under severe scrutiny, and the result of the India vs Pakistan match could apparently influence the overall perception of the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA. Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the June 9 clash, expecting it will turn the tide for the tournament.
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