Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Free Passes Fill Stands After Slow Start at India-Brazil Friendly
India played a football match against Brazil at Salt Lake Stadium.
At first, many seats were empty.
The crowd grew as the match continued, helped by free passes given out before kick-off.
Organisers had hoped more people would come to see famous Brazilian players.
Some fans still paid for tickets, and one family travelled from Ludhiana to watch together.
The report said high prices and Durga Puja celebrations may have kept other fans away.
Tickets costing Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,000 were still available before the match.
Another India friendly, against Uruguay on October 6, also appeared to have low ticket demand.
India’s friendly against Brazil began before sparse stands at Salt Lake Stadium, with attendance appearing below 30,000 at kick-off.
The crowd grew as the match went on; complimentary passes distributed shortly before kick-off helped fill seats.
Organisers had expected star players including Vinicius Jr, Estevao and Endrick to draw more fans, but interest fell short of expectations.
Some supporters travelled long distances and paid for tickets, while high prices and Durga Puja festivities were cited as reasons for subdued demand.
Ticket requests for the October 6 India-Uruguay friendly were also low among clubs and the IFA, according to reported figures.
- Who
- India and Brazil, with Brazilian players including Vinicius Jr, Estevao and Endrick.
- What
- An international friendly began before a sparse crowd, which grew as the match went on.
- When
- Saturday, October 3; the India-Uruguay friendly was scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, India.
- Why
- The articles cite high ticket prices and Durga Puja festivities as factors in the subdued demand; complimentary passes helped fill seats.
Factors behind weak demand
Fan experience and match organization
Ticket prices and festival timing
Factors behind weak demand
The report cited high prices and Durga Puja festivities as reasons many fans may have stayed away; tickets priced from Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,000 remained available shortly before kick-off.
Fan experience and match organization
Some supporters chose to pay to see Brazil, and fans interviewed described travelling to attend. Complimentary passes also helped the crowd grow during the match.
Organization and ticket access
Factors behind weak demand
An IFA official said the association had been sidelined and that its discounted tickets were unattractive because cheaper tickets were available online.
Fan experience and match organization
The match report said the AIFF distributed complimentary passes before kick-off, which helped fill the stadium and gave more people a chance to attend.
- Venue
- Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
- Match
- India versus Brazil international friendly
- Attendance
- Appeared below 30,000 at kick-off; stands gradually filled during the match
- Ticket prices
- Rs 3,500 to Rs 6,000 for listed blocks shortly before kick-off
- Complimentary passes
- Distributed hours before kick-off and credited with helping fill seats
- India-Uruguay tickets
- Mohun Bagan sold 90 of 6,000 allocated; East Bengal received 400 requests for 4,000; IFA received 24 requests for 2,000
- Next friendly
- India versus Uruguay, scheduled for October 6
