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ECB explain dip in T20 Blast attendance amidst questionable scheduling

The T20 Blast remains one of the most popular cricket leagues around the world. However, the recent decline in attendance has been a cause of concern for the English Cricket Board (ECB).


The T20 Blast will witness its earliest finish, with the Finals Day being scheduled for July 16, Saturday. The domestic T20 season window was planned, keeping in mind a month-long window for the second edition of The Hundred.


According to ESPNcricinfo, the attendance figures for the tournament have dipped as compared to the pre-Covid-19 levels. The attendance in the 2022 season is reportedly around 800,000 which includes a sell-out crowd for the Finals Day. The attendance for the 2019 season was around 920,000.


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However, ECB has attributed the dip in attendance to the changing consumer preferences after the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"After the impact of Covid and the restrictions that were in place for two summers, in addition to the changing consumer habits that has impacted other sports and entertainment, it has been heartening to see crowds returning up and down the country," Neil Snowball, the ECB's managing director of county cricket said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.


"We are undergoing research to further understand the changing consumer habits and how we can develop the Vitality Blast's offer to fans. What is certain is that there has never been more ways to watch and follow the Vitality Blast, whether it is at-venue or across the various digital platforms, and we're committed to driving progress and increasing the reach of a competition that has become much loved since its inception in 2003,” he concluded.


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