- Sparse attendance at the 2023 ICC World Cup opener between England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
- Various factors, including a non-Indian match on a weekday, warm weather, and ticket sale delays, might have contributed to the low turnout.
- Critics question BCCI’s planning and venue selection, suggesting more historically relevant stadiums like Wankhede or Eden Gardens.
- Fans compare the opening match of 2023 with previous opening matches of the World Cup.
The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup had a less than stellar opening in terms of stadium attendance, with numerous empty seats at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the kickoff match between England and New Zealand.
Earlier, fans were angry at the ridiculous conditions of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on the warm-up match day. Not only the stadiums were empty, the seats were covered with bird poo and wrappers.
SEE ALSO: India vs Pakistan Cricket World Cup 2023 free live stream, Saturday 14th October
Disappointing to say the least!#CWC23#icccricketworldcup2023#ENGvNZ#NarendraModiStadiumpic.twitter.com/6QQ2HFKgCY
— J J (@theAbsoluteJJ) October 5, 2023
World Cup Begins Amidst Empty Seats
Cricket fans worldwide were shocked to witness a nearly vacant Narendra Modi Stadium – the world’s largest cricket arena boasting a seating capacity of 132,000 – during the England vs. New Zealand game.
With Jonny Bairstow facing Trent Boult’s opening ball before a sparse audience, questions arose about India’s renowned passion for the sport.
Sunil Gavaskar on Star Sports:
— ASG (@ahadfoooty) October 6, 2023
"I am ashamed to call myself Indian. This is the worst Cricket World Cup. Empty stadiums, no scoreboard, pathetic management from BCCI."
Gavaskar didn't hold back. pic.twitter.com/x9RG4YoDnL
Related Story: Cricket World Cup 2023: Pak vs IND Match Timing, Venue & where to buy tickets
Despite low ticket costs (Rs 1,000 or $12) and offers of free tickets, images and videos from the event showed an unsettlingly deserted scene. Critics of X, previously known as Twitter, quickly expressed their dissatisfaction.
“Empty stadium at #ICCcricketworldcup2023’s opening match #ENGvsNZ disappoints fans. This is despite giving out 40,000 free tickets to Ahmedabad women for match 1.”
Sold out tickets on Book My Show but no crowd?
— The Tatva (@thetatvaindia) October 5, 2023
Empty stadium at #ICCcricketworldcup2023's opening match #ENGvsNZ disappoints fans. This is despite giving out 40,000 free tickets to Ahmedabad women for match 1. pic.twitter.com/P4Ys7SFZ8v
Factors Behind Low Turnout
Several reasons are being cited for the low attendance:
Non-Indian Match on a Weekday
According to AlJazeera, the game didn’t feature the host nation and was played mid-week; not many fans might have been inclined to travel for the game. These two factors play a major role as the host nation has to play in the opening game, and the audience is expected to be low on a working day.
“Host should always open the WC. Finalists can play the following day.”
Warm Weather
The temperatures in Ahmedabad, hovering around 34-35°C, might have discouraged potential attendees. Also, rain was expected before the match, and humidity was expected throughout.
Ticket Sales Delay
The delay in the World Cup ticket sales, resulting from the ICC’s extended confirmation of the final schedule, had previously drawn criticism. But for the fact that 40,000 tickets were sold for free to the women, it reportedly still does not make a difference!
Observers wrote: Maybe it wouldn’t have been this embarrassing if you hadn’t started ticket sales at the last minute, repulsing fans who wanted to travel from NZ/ENG, hoarding tickets, and then giving them away for free as a way to save face at the last minute.
Maybe it wouldn't have been this embarassing if you hadn't started ticket sales at the last minute repulsing fans who wanted to travel from NZ/ENG, hoarding tickets and then giving them away for free as a way to save face at the last minute.
— Manya (@CSKian716) October 5, 2023
You can build the biggest stadium.… pic.twitter.com/6WO7UCdrTJ
Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag suggested providing free tickets for school and college children, especially for games not involving India.
Organizer’s Efforts and Upcoming Matches
In a bid to fill seats, organizers had distributed free tickets, coupled with lunch and tea vouchers, to 30,000 to 40,000 women from Ahmedabad. Despite this effort, the turnout remained dismal.
However, the atmosphere is expected to take a 180-degree turn on 14th October, when India takes on Pakistan. Tickets for this highly anticipated match were snapped up within minutes of going live.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 TV Broadcasters & Live Streaming
Fans Pointed Fingers
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faced significant backlash from netizens, who criticized their choice of venue and poor planning. Many felt that iconic venues like Wankhede or Eden Gardens would have drawn larger crowds given their historic relevance to the sport.
One critic voiced their frustration, stating,
“Kolkata or Mumbai would have been a better choice for the World Cup opening match.”
Opening ceremony canceled, scheduled changed numerous times, ticketing issues, visa delays for participating team, warm up to be played behind closed doors due to security, completely empty stadium in the opening match, is India really the right venue to be hosting global event?
— Osama. (@ashaqeens) October 5, 2023
There are some things money can’t buy.
— Vikrant Gupta 🏏 (@VikrantGupta75) October 5, 2023
For everything else, there is BCCI.#Ahmedabad #CWC23#NarendraModiStadium#icccricketworldcup2023 pic.twitter.com/G53cOcyi85
This guy first ruined the whole Asia Cup for political purposes, and now there is no crowd, no opening ceremony, and no proper arrangement for the biggest cricketing event in the world. Disappointing for all the cricket fans in the world#ICCCricketWorldCup #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/iYZVZhEh88
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib_100mph) October 5, 2023
LOL this is just embarrassing at this point. Toss for the opening game of the WC happening in front of a completely empty stadium pic.twitter.com/qyCGV3uLpc
— yang goi (@GongR1ght) October 5, 2023
ICC Cricket World Cup Match Wins & Where to Stream
| Match | WIN | Where to Stream |
|---|---|---|
| England v New Zealand | NZ | UK |
| Pakistan v Netherlands | PAK | UAE, Qatar |
| Bangladesh v Afghanistan | BAN | Bahrain |
| South Africa v Sri Lanka | SA | Malaysia |
| India v Australia | IND | Australia |
| New Zealand v Netherlands | NZ | Netherlands |
| England v Bangladesh | ENG | Japan |
| Pakistan v Sri Lanka | PAK | Germany |
| India v Afghanistan | – | Kuwait |
| Australia v South Africa | – | South Africa |
| New Zealand v Bangladesh | – | Sweden |
| India v Pakistan | – | Ireland |
| England v Afghanistan | – | Saudi Arabia |
| Australia v Sri Lanka | – | Philippines |
| South Africa v Netherlands | – | Portugal |
| New Zealand v Afghanistan | – | Switzerland |
| India v Bangladesh | – | Hong Kong |
| Australia v Pakistan | – | European Regions |
| England v South Africa | – | Canada |
| Netherlands v Sri Lanka | – | Netherlands |
| India v New Zealand | – | Greece |
| Pakistan v Afghanistan | – | Disney+ Hotstar |
| South Africa v Bangladesh | – | Sky Sports |
| Australia v Netherlands | – | United States |
| England v Sri Lanka | – | Malaysia |
| Pakistan v South Africa | – | Sky Sports |
| Netherlands v Bangladesh | – | United States |
| Australia v New Zealand | – | ESPN+ |
| India v England | – | Disney+ Hotstar |
| Afghanistan v Sri Lanka | – | Hong Kong |
| Pakistan v Bangladesh | – | Sky Sports |
| New Zealand v South Africa | – | ESPN+ |
| India v Sri Lanka | – | Channel 9, 9NOW |
| Netherlands v Afghanistan | – | Netherlands |
| England v Australia | – | United Kingdom |
| New Zealand v Pakistan | – | Disney+ Hotstar |
| Sunday, Nov 5 – India v South Africa | – | Disney+ Hotstar |
| Bangladesh v Sri Lanka | Sky Sports | |
| Australia v Afghanistan | – | Channel 9, 9NOW |
| England v Netherlands | – | Sky Sports |
| New Zealand v Sri Lanka | – | United States |
| South Africa v Afghanistan | – | European CountriesRegions |
| Australia v Bangladesh | – | Kayo Sport |
| England v Pakistan | – | Hong Kong |
| India v Netherlands | – | Channel 9, 9NOW |
| Semi-final 1 | – | Kayo Sport |
| Semi-final 2 | – | Sky Sports |
| Final | – | Disney+ Hotstar |
