The Cricket World Cup is one of the most anticipated sporting events, attracting fans from all over the globe. As the excitement builds up for the next World Cup, slated to be held in India in 2023, many cricket enthusiasts will be looking to get their hands on the coveted match tickets.
Tickets for the Cricket World Cup are always in high demand and tend to sell out very fast. It’s important for fans to plan well in advance and be ready to act as soon as the ticket sales open. Here is a detailed guide on how to successfully buy Cricket World Cup tickets when they become available:
When Do Tickets Go on Sale?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) usually announces the ticket sales date 6-12 months prior to the start of the World Cup. The last World Cup held in 2019 in England had tickets going on sale around February 2018, approximately 12 months before the event. Fans need to keep an eye out for the ticket sales announcement from the ICC to find out when they can start booking tickets for the next World Cup in India.
The ICC also notifies fans about ticket sales through advertisements and promotions on its website and social media handles. Subscribing to updates from the ICC is a good way to stay updated about when you can buy match tickets.
Where to Buy Tickets From?
There are a few options when it comes to purchasing Cricket World Cup tickets:
Official ICC Website
The best and safest way to buy World Cup tickets is directly through the official ICC website. Tickets are made available in phases, starting with exclusive pre-sales for special ticket packages and hospitality programs. The main ticket sale opens up after this to the general public on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The ICC website lists out all the match venues and provides an interactive map to select your desired match and reserve tickets for it. You can choose ticket categories based on your budget and requirements. The website is easy to navigate and convenient for fans world-over to book tickets.
Official Ticketing Partners
The ICC also collaborates with certain official ticketing partners to sell World Cup tickets. These are essentially ticketing websites that are exclusively authorized to sell international cricket match tickets. Some prominent examples are BookMyShow, MakeMyTrip, Paytm Insider, etc.
You can navigate to these ticketing sites when ticket sales open up and browse through the cricket match tickets on offer. The benefit of using official partners is that you can rest assured the tickets are genuine and you can book them together with travel packages or accommodations if required.
Match Venue Box Offices
For fans residing in the host country, it may be possible to directly visit the match venue box office and purchase tickets. This can be a good option to get tickets for matches not featuring high-profile teams and are likely to have tickets still available closer to the match date.
However, for popular matches like the knockout games or matches featuring top teams, tickets are likely to sell out much in advance online. Visiting the box office later may not yield tickets if online quotas are exhausted.
How Much Do Tickets Cost?
Ticket prices for Cricket World Cup matches can vary significantly depending on a number of factors:
Type of Match
The most expensive tickets are usually for the final match, semi-finals and other knock-out games near the end of the tournament. Group stage matches, especially those not featuring cricketing powerhouses, have more affordable ticket pricing.
Team Popularity
Matches involving fan favorites like India, Australia, England, Pakistan see very high demand. Ticket prices for matches featuring these teams are usually 40-50% higher than other games.
Venue Capacity
Some cricket stadiums have larger capacities than others. Ticket prices are higher for matches held at smaller venues since demand exceeds availability.
Stand Category
Tickets for premium stands like the lower boxes or members pavilion are more expensive than general admission stands like upper tiers or grass embankments.
To give an estimate, group stage match tickets can start from INR 500 going up to INR 5000 for better stands. Knockout match tickets can range from INR 1500 up to INR 15,000+ for the final match.
How Many Tickets Can I Buy?
The ICC usually puts a limit on the maximum number of tickets that can be purchased in a single transaction. For the 2019 World Cup, the limit was set to 8 tickets per transaction.
This limit exists to discourage black marketing of tickets and enable fair access to all fans. You will need to provide the full name and other details of each ticket holder at the time of booking for verification purposes.
Can I Resell or Transfer My Tickets?
Reselling of Cricket World Cup tickets is prohibited by the ICC. Ticketing terms & conditions clearly state that tickets cannot be resold or transferred under any circumstances. All tickets must be used only by those people whose names are mentioned at the time of booking.
In fact, the original credit/debit card used to buy the tickets needs to be presented along with valid photo ID at the stadium gates for verification. Any tickets obtained through unauthorized means are liable for cancellation without refund.
What If Tickets Sell Out Quickly?
Due to the huge demand, tickets for marquee World Cup matches often get sold out within minutes or hours from the sales opening. Disappointed fans who miss out then have the following options:
ICC Hospitality Programs
Along with regular tickets, the ICC also releases limited premium hospitality packages that come bundled with gourmet catering, match viewing from luxurious lounges, celebrity appearances and other exclusive perks. These are expensive but a few tickets may be available here after regular allotments sell out.
Waitlist Register
The ICC sometimes opens up a waitlist option, where you can register your interest for tickets. If any tickets get freed up later owing to cancellations, waitlisted fans get a chance to buy them.
Ticket Resale Sites
Some fans who are unable to attend matches after purchasing tickets try to resell them through ticket resale sites. Buying here does involve risk, as there’s no guarantee the tickets are legitimate.
Outside Stadium
As a last resort, you can try your luck outside the stadium on match day to see if any ticket holders are willing to resell extra tickets in their possession. This is not recommended since you can get duped with fake tickets.
Useful Tips to Increase Your Chances
Here are some handy tips to improve your odds of securing Cricket World Cup tickets during the rush:
- Register on the ICC website well in advance and save your payment info to make the booking process quicker
- Follow ICC social media accounts to get notified when ticket sales open up
- Decide your matches and be flexible across dates to have a wider net
- Log in right as the sales open and have members of your group try simultaneously
- If booking on a ticketing site, create accounts beforehand for faster checkout
- Have a back-up payment method registered in case your first card fails
Conclusion
Cricket World Cup tickets are highly coveted, considering the tournament takes place only once every 4 years. By planning ahead and acting swiftly as soon as booking opens, you can try to secure seats to cheer for your favorite team live at the stadium. Prepare yourself to face the inevitable mad rush by registering on official sites early and saving payment information.
Stay alert for any ticket sales announcements from the ICC to determine when you need to be ready. Given the sky-high demand, it’s advisable not to wait too long after sales open to increase your chances of getting tickets before they sell out. While prices may be steeper than usual, the lifetime experience of watching World Cup cricket in person is worth splurging on!
