2 hrs ago
Empty Seats Greet Vinicius Jr and Brazil in Kolkata Friendly
India played a friendly football match against Brazil in Kolkata.
Many seats at the stadium were empty when the game began.
More people arrived as the match went on.
The stadium often gets much fuller for local Kolkata derbies.
The report said expensive tickets and the approaching Durga Puja festivities may have kept fans away.
Tickets costing Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,000 were still available before kick-off.
Another friendly, against Uruguay, is scheduled for October 6.
The report said ticket interest for that match was also low.
Large sections of Salt Lake Stadium were empty at kick-off for India’s friendly against Brazil.
Attendance appeared below 30,000 initially, though the stands gradually filled as the match progressed.
High ticket prices and Durga Puja festivities were cited as factors behind the subdued response.
Tickets priced from Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,000 were still available shortly before kick-off.
Sales for the October 6 India-Uruguay friendly also appeared weak, based on requests reported by clubs and the IFA.
- Who
- India and Brazil, including Brazilian player Vinicius Jr.
- What
- An India-Brazil international friendly drew a subdued initial crowd.
- Where
- Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, India.
- When
- Saturday, October 3; another India-Uruguay friendly was scheduled for October 6.
- Why
- The report identified high ticket prices and Durga Puja festivities as apparent reasons for the low turnout.
Reasons for weak demand
Ticket and event organization concerns
Why fans stayed away
Reasons for weak demand
The report said high ticket prices and the approaching Durga Puja festivities appeared to contribute to the low turnout.
Ticket and event organization concerns
An IFA official said the association had been sidelined in match organization and that its discounted tickets were unattractive when cheaper tickets were available online.
Key facts
- Venue
- Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
- Match
- India versus Brazil friendly
- Initial attendance
- Appeared to be below 30,000 at kick-off
- Ticket prices
- Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,000 for listed blocks
- Next friendly
- India versus Uruguay, scheduled for October 6
- Mohun Bagan ticket allocation
- 6,000 tickets; the club sold 90
- East Bengal ticket allocation
- 4,000 tickets; the club received 400 requests
- IFA ticket allocation
- 2,000 tickets; affiliated units made 24 requests
Quotes
An IFA official
An official of the Indian Football Association, which was involved in hosting the match.
“IFA may be the host organisation but we have been completely sidelined. AIFF has not kept us in the loop and there are no complimentary tickets. We have got some 6,000 tickets after discount at Rs 5,400, but there are no takers. People here are used to seeing matches for less than Rs 500.”
theprint.in
Sources
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