ENG vs NZ | Weak ticket sales for the first Test force MCC to reconsider ticket costs

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns the Lord's Cricket Ground, has been under fire recently when it was revealed that ticket sales for the first Test of the summer were disappointing.

The MCC has pledged to revise ticket costs ahead of the 2023 season and has offered a new batch of lower-priced tickets for the Test match against New Zealand on the fourth day.

It was revealed that ticket sales for the first Test of the summer were disappointing. Over the first four days leading up to the event, over 16,000 tickets remained unsold.

The Cricket Supporters' Association was among those who suggested that the "astronomically high" cost of tickets was the key contributing cause.

They went on to say that "once again, the cricketing authorities aren't thinking about fans, getting youngsters and families to a Test match, or ensuring cricket is inviting and accessible." The majority of the remaining tickets for the first three days were priced at more than £100.

For the MCC, there were several mitigating considerations. The stadium holds a capacity of just under 32,000 people, and the pricing was set last year before the cost of living crisis became so clear. On the first day of the Test, only a few hundred seats remained unsold.

Nonetheless, they claim to have listened to the concerns and would revise their ticket rates for the following year. That is an intriguing prospect itself, as Lord's will host an Ashes Test in 2023.

Because of the high demand for such games, it has appeared that venues may continue to raise ticket prices. However, the MCC may need to reconsider the proportion with a greater focus on inclusiveness and to make the game more accessible.

In the near term, the MCC has granted 2,000 more Under-16 tickets for the fourth day of the Test on Sunday (June 5). Those tickets will set you back £20. However, adult tickets are hard to get by for less than £100. So the most affordable option is £70.