England and New Zealand squared off against each other in the opening match of the 2023 World Cup on Thursday (October 5), and the Narendra Modi Stadium was full of vacant seats. There were many vacant seats at the largest stadium in the world, which can hold about 132,000 people, when England took the pitch to bat with few fans in attendance.
The arena in Ahmedabad appeared to have some pockets of fans in a number of screengrabs and pictures, but by the time the game began at 2 p.m. local time, there were hardly any people there.
The Indian Cricket Board released the fixtures just 100 days before the commencement of the event, which drew significant criticism for the awkward timing of the schedule’s announcement in the run-up to the championship.
The schedule was changed as a result of local state police officials raising concerns about hosting specific matches since they conflicted with national festival dates. Just over two months prior to the competition began, on August 9, 2023, the World Cup’s final schedule was unveiled.
Users on BookMyShow, the World Cup’s official ticketing partner, complained about the numerous obstacles they encountered when purchasing match tickets throughout the event. It has been anticipated that the stadium would be packed for the India vs. Pakistan game, which will take place there in a little over ten days.
Around 30,000 to 40,000 women from Ahmedabad will be watching : Lalit Wadhwan
The state of Gujarat of India’s ruling Bhartiya Janta Party also announced that 40,000 seats will be set aside for female spectators for the match. They will get complimentary tickets and vouchers for lunch and tea.
Lalit Wadhwan while speak to the Indian express said, “Around 30,000 to 40,000 women from Ahmedabad will be watching the game in the stadium tomorrow. Our volunteers have been asked to send the names and tickets were handed to them today. Tickets upar se aaya hai (We got these tickets from the top). Kya hai na, 33 per cent women reservation Bill bhi pass hua hai (See, even the 33 per cent women’s reservation Bill has been passed).”
Fans react as ODI World Cup 2023 opener sees low turnout from fans:
Really hope the Stadium gets filled a bit by evening.
The World Cup opener deserves more public on the stands! pic.twitter.com/oDknm9qEGD
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 5, 2023
Whom did they sell the tickets to? Result of the Scam.
— ROCKY ? (@Rocky23697) October 5, 2023
Such a shame to see an empty stadium for such a big game
— Warren Tarling (@wozzajt) October 5, 2023
Maybe people have seen the photos of dirty chairs the other day!!! ?????
— Saad Butt (@CricBellz) October 5, 2023
Why worried so much, all tickets are sold out and will be filled by evening. Everyone is busy in work and those free don't want to sit in the 40° heat for watching the same cricketers they watch throughout the IPL.
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) October 5, 2023
Indians will come to watch India in action.
Hope fans of all the participating countries travel to India and support their teams like we Indians travel all across and make the Indian team feel at home everywhere.— Shweta (@TrustScore_1) October 5, 2023
It’s too hot ? in Ahmedabad, and it’s working day, so rare chance to fill this stadium
— ???? (@bijjuu11) October 5, 2023
This year management has been under par, India should have played first match as host country to increase hype.
— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) October 5, 2023
See no one interested in ODIs… That too a marquee event,
ODIs are boring from my perspective…— RKfantasycric11 (@RKfantasycric11) October 5, 2023
Scam Results ?
— Usman Sidhu Official (@usmansidhuoffic) October 5, 2023
Opening Match of WC should have been #INDvsENG
— Nishi Patel (@Nishi_45) October 5, 2023
hope so but first match india ?? ka nhi h na isliye?
— ???? (@_dreamer__neha) October 5, 2023
World Cup opener should have been India vs any other team. BCCI have failed in making the schedule itself. It should always be host team to play in opener. Pathetic from BCCI!
— Maharaj Patil (@IamViruLover) October 5, 2023
Let's wait till evening. But crowd might miss england 400 by then
— Avi Chan (@BNBavi) October 5, 2023
