After holding a meeting with the heads of state associations responsible for hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 matches, Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has set a deadline of July 31 for them to finalize their ticket pricing.
During the meeting conducted on Thursday, July 27, Shah also informed the state associations that both BCCI and ICC would need a specific number of tickets. Additionally, Shah mentioned to the media that for stadium entry after online booking, physical tickets will be mandatory. BCCI will be making arrangements to ensure a smooth collection process for these physical tickets.
According to a report in the Indian Express, once the state associations finalize their ticket pricing by July 31, the tickets are expected to be available for purchase by August 10. It has been reported that the BCCI is also making updates to the World Cup schedule due to a request from three board members of the ICC.
There is a high possibility that the India vs Pakistan match will be rescheduled to October 14, a day earlier than its original date of October 15, as requested by the Ahmedabad Police. The updated schedule is anticipated to be released either on Saturday (July 29) or Sunday (July 30).
During the Indian Premier League matches in 2023, physical copies of tickets were required, which caused significant issues for fans when the tickets got ruined by rain during the IPL 2023 final. As a result, they had to return to the stadium the next day after the final was played on the reserve day.
However, Jay Shah, the Secretary of the BCCI, has assured fans of a hassle-free experience for ticket distribution in the upcoming matches. He stated that arrangements will be made for fans to collect physical tickets from seven-eight locations one week prior to the match, and an e-ticket system will be introduced for bilateral games.
Also read: World Cup 2023 Ticket Buying Process Explained: Where to Buy, Where to Collect, Staff Quota and More
In addition to the ticketing experience, the BCCI has promised fans that food products will be available at discounted prices at all stadiums across the country during the World Cup. Jay Shah also mentioned that the BCCI is partnering with a beverage company to offer free drinking water to fans at all venues. Moreover, the BCCI will ensure the hygienic distribution of food during the matches.