In a surprising turn for one of cricket’s most high-profile matchups, tickets for the India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025 remain largely unsold despite the usual fervour around the rivalry. Organisers have begun slashing prices — a rare move ahead of a marquee fixture — in hopes of filling the stands before game day.
What’s Going On? High Prices, Missing Icons & Public Sentiment
Several key factors are being blamed for the lukewarm ticket sales:
Premium pricing: Deluxe seats in VIP Suites, the Royal Box, and other premium categories are being listed for huge sums. For example, two seats in a VIP Suite East are being priced around ₹2.57 lakh, and Royal Box seats exceed ₹2.3 lakh. Even mid-tier ticket categories are expensive.
Absence of marquee players: Fans appear less enthusiastic due to the absence of beloved stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from India’s T20 setup. Their retirement has left some supporters feeling the match won’t deliver the full spectacle.
Rising political tension and public criticism: Alongside commercial concerns, political and social voices have called for boycotts or raised ethical objections to India-Pakistan sport ties in light of recent incidents. Some of these views may be affecting fan appetite.
Where Prices Have Dropped & What Remains Unsold
Prices have been reduced or offers restructured in some premium categories. Organisers are reportedly offering better packages to attract buyers — perhaps including combinable perks like food, lounge access, and private entrances.
The top-tier tickets remain hardest to move: VIP suites, royal boxes, sky-boxes. Lower tiers — though less glamorous — are seeing somewhat better traction. Even so, general tickets are still costly, putting them out of reach for some.
Reactions from Fans & Experts
Former players and commentators have pointed out that fans want to see big names. Aakash Chopra, for example, has attributed part of the lack of urgency in ticket purchases to the absence of Kohli and Rohit.
Some stakeholders argue that fans view cost vs. value: premium ticket holders expect all the spectacle, comfort, and media visibility; with some elements missing, they may be less willing to pay steep prices.
Others speculate it may partly be “packaged sales” — whereby some tickets are sold in bundles or VIP packages that inflate cost and make the perceived value less transparent.
Implications & What’s Next
Organisers are likely under pressure to lower more categories or offer discounts/promotions to increase attendance, especially since India vs Pakistan matches are often sold out well in advance.
Beyond revenue from tickets, a sparsely filled stadium could impact broadcast perceptions, atmosphere, and future demand for similar high-profile matches.
For fans, this might be one of the rare chances to get good seats at this rivalry — if they move now.
The incident signals that fan expectations, pricing, and player rosters matter deeply, even when it comes to long-standing rivalries.
Final Word
The India vs Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2025 was expected to be a guaranteed sell-out. But with ticket prices soaring, top stars absent, and political undercurrents adding complexity, demand hasn’t matched hype — until now. Whether organisers can bridge the gap between cost and value will determine whether the match lives up to its reputation — or becomes a cautionary tale in relying solely on rivalry to sell seats.
