Islamabad, Feb 5: Tickets for the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 are now being resold for as much as seven times their original cost. Initially priced at Dh500, general admission tickets have appeared on resale platforms, including Facebook Marketplace, for prices as high as Dh3,500.
The rush to secure tickets was intense when sales opened on Monday, with cricket fans waiting in virtual queues for hours. However, within just an hour, tickets were sold out, leaving many disappointed. The reselling of these tickets at inflated prices has sparked frustration among fans who were unable to secure a seat for the highly anticipated match.
Abdul Kareem, a Sharjah resident and avid cricket fan, shared his experience of trying to buy tickets through the official website. “I kept refreshing the page for hours, hoping to secure a ticket. But by the time my turn arrived, everything was gone. Now, resellers are asking for Dh3,500 or more. It’s beyond frustrating,” he said. Kareem even attempted to negotiate a slight increase in price, offering to pay Dh200 more than the original cost, but was met with resistance from resellers.
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Another cricket enthusiast, Harish Das, expressed his disappointment over the inflated resale prices. “I had budgeted Dh500 for a ticket, but I can’t afford to pay more than Dh1,000. It feels like these matches are only accessible to those who can pay outrageous prices,” he said, adding that ticket prices in Dubai were much higher than those in India.
The overwhelming demand for India-Pakistan tickets has driven prices to skyrocket. Resellers report receiving a flood of inquiries, with some predicting prices may rise even further as the match date approaches. One reseller shared, “We’ve had over 50 calls just since yesterday asking for tickets. Even at three times the price, people are still interested.”
Tickets for all four UAE matches are also being sold as packages, with one reseller offering tickets for Dh6,000. The demand isn’t limited to just the India-Pakistan game, as fans are also seeking tickets for other matches, including games against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the semifinals.
With the match set to take place at Dubai International Stadium on February 23, the skyrocketing resale prices have left many fans feeling disheartened, and some have resigned themselves to watching the game from home. The situation highlights the challenge of securing tickets for one of the most sought-after cricket fixtures in the world.
