Ticket sales, inflation & hype

It is the first time since the inception of the league that there is little buzz around it and ticket sales is in question

When you think of Pakistan, a few things pop up in your mind. Of these things, the two most positives are food and cricket.

Cricket is almost synonymous with Pakistan. It is nearly impossible for one to think of Pakistan and not think of the nation’s love for the game.

With the next edition of the country’s biggest sporting event, Pakistan Super League (PSL), just around the corner, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently revealed the ticket prices for various categories of different venues and matches.

The prices are pretty reflective of the rising inflation in this part of the world. The question is, whether these inflated price impact ticket sales.

“Yes there is a marked difference in this year’s prices but ticket sales are as high as ever,” said Umer Shahid, Chief Communication Officer of Book.me, PCB’s official ticketing partner, while talking to Bol News.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan. Since international cricket returned to Pakistan, after a few initial games, the crowd at the National Stadium Karachi (now known as National Bank Cricket Arena) has been underwhelming. Meanwhile, Qaddafi Stadium Lahore and Multan Cricket Stadium enjoyed a better atmosphere.

However, Book.me’s representative claimed that the games in Karachi and Multan will be near house full as the cities have the richest fanbase.

“By the looks of it stadiums at all venues and in all matches will be quite full this year. That has also got to do with the fact that the crowds in Karachi and Multan (locations where ticket sales are currently open) are generally more enthusiastic about cricket,” he claimed. “So much so that even when there’s a domestic game in Multan, hundreds, if not thousands of people show up for it.”

“I don’t think bookings have been affected by inflation as such because our analysis shows that ticket sales are actually better this year as compared to the last year,” he added.

He further maintained that it is hard to estimate how many tickets have been booked at each venue already because they have to factor in all of the different matches, the different ticket types and the popularity of the games itself but he believes that the stands will be full throughout the tournament.

He also addressed the problem faced by fans when they were asked to present a hard copy of the ticket at the gates of the stadium by the authorities. However, he assured that people will not encounter the issue this time around and they will be allowed to enter the stadium on the e-tickets.

“In fact, we are primarily an e-ticketing company and since we first started joining hands with PCB, we used to only do e-tickets but in the past tournament, which was an international series, the security agencies looking after the venues had insisted on having physical tickets that people showed on-site to get inside the gates,” he stated. “However, after we saw all the hassle that caused we decided to make sure that we revert back to the system we had in place so that people can buy their tickets online and not have to go through any extra trouble to enjoy the game.”

On the other hand, fans have previously complained that they could not go to watch games as they did not find a ticket booth or a place from where they could acquire tickets just before the game.

Shahid shared that people will be able to buy tickets via their phones just before the game, but only online tickets will be available.

“Since there are only e-tickets this time, you can actually purchase them on your phone right before the match starts. This is another reason why we have preferred to have e-tickets this time so that people can make last-minute bookings without complications,” he apprised.

However, the majority of the population in Pakistan is not well-versed in how these bookings work, payment methods and other aspects. Yet again, a number of fans will find it tough to get their tickets.

Meanwhile, Book.me feels that the ticket sale will be better for this edition of the league as there is enough buildup around the tournament.

“We feel that this year around there is a lot of hype on social media as well and that has also factored into people wishing to buy tickets earlier,” said Shahid.

Contrary to his belief, common citizens think otherwise.

Abdullah, a student of the 12th class residing in Karachi, maintained it does not look like a tournament like PSL is about to take place in the city as there is no excitement in the air.

“This year, there is no hype of the mega event as it was in the previous seasons,” he said. “Some activities have started on social media from different teams which will create the atmosphere for the league till the start of the season.”

The Karachi Kings fan added that he is following all the happenings of PSL on social media and he is all set to go to witness the live action at the National Bank Cricket Arena.

Fatima Khan, a student at the University of Karachi, echoed Abdullah’s words and gave an interesting reason for the lack of hype.

“There is no hype around PSL in this season, but marriages of players are trending on social media every other day,” she said. “This is the reason why there is no special PSL hype yet. Once PSL kicks off, everything will fall in place. I will be celebrating Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Quetta Gladiators during the event.”

Often, the viewing experience at Karachi’s venue comes under scrutiny as the stands are too far from the action. Moreover, the fence and pillars further hinder the scene, which is why many people prefer to watch the games on TV.

Mohammad Shafqat, 40, is one of those thousands of fans who do not like to go to the stadium. Though Shafqat took his family to NSK last season and he is hoping to do it again for the happiness of his family, it will be a bit tougher for him due to the inflation.

“Children are more interested in matches, this time also I will try to take the family to the stadium, but the inflation is quite high, so I will plan things accordingly,” he said. “There are not many entertainment opportunities in the city. PSL is held once a year, which has enough interest among children. I myself just like to watch cricket on TV. The enclosure is quite far away.”

Meanwhile, there are people who cannot afford going to the stadium, so they wait for a miracle.

Saifullah, who works at a tea stall, is a big fan of cricket but his wage does not give him the liberty to go in the stadium and cheer their favourite stars.

“I watch cricket very fondly,” he said. “Peshawar Zalmi is my favorite team but I cannot buy a ticket and go to watch the match by myself. Last year, I went to the stadium to watch the match. I got free tickets at a stadium gate from a Peshawar Zalmi official. My daily wage is seven hundred rupees so I can’t afford to go this year but if someone gives me a ticket, I will definitely go.”

Everything about tickets

Last year the ticket prices had been fixed at PKR2,500 for the VIP enclosure, PKR2,000 for the premium enclosure, PKR1,500 for the first-class enclosure and PKR500 for the general enclosure.

This year around, the prices vary from match to match. The price of tickets for the Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans game on February 15 has been set at PKR2,900 (VIP), PKR1,900 (premium), PKR950 (First Class), and PKR650 (general), while the price of tickets for the remaining three home games has been set at PKR4,000 (VIP), PKR2,000 (premium), PKR1,500 (first class), and PKR1,000 (general).

The cost of tickets for non-Sunday games in Karachi has been set at PKR2,900 (VIP), PKR1,900 (Premium), PKR950, and PKR650, respectively, for first class and general enclosures.

The cost of tickets for the thrilling match between the Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings on Sunday, February 19, has been set at PKR5,000 for VIP enclosures, PKR3,000 for premium, PKR2,000 in first class, and PKR1,000 in general. Prices for tickets have been set at PKR4,000 (VIP), PKR2,000 (premium), PKR1,500 and PKR1,000 for first class and general Enclosures, respectively, for the final match in Karachi on Sunday, February 26, between the home team and Sultans.

For the first time, the PCB has introduced discounted season passes that include games on weekdays. This is done to entice families and cricket fans to buy less expensive tickets so they can watch some of Pakistan’s top short-format cricketers compete for the highest prize.

Season tickets for the four Multan games have been set at PKR16,830 (VIP), PKR9,630 (premium), PKR5,715 (first class), and PKR3,555 (excluding the opening match) (general).

The prices for the five matches in Karachi on February 16, 20, 21, 23, and 24 have also been set at PKR13,050 (VIP), PKR8,550 (premium), PKR4,275 (first class), and PKR2,925 (for a season pass) (general).

One ticket may be purchased using one CNIC, according to the PCB. While those under the age of 18 will need a B-Form, those without CNIC can purchase tickets using their passports. All spectators will be required to bring the official identification they used to purchase their tickets.