India is set to tour England in 2025, and fans are eagerly anticipating the marquee series. However, the third Test at Lord’s has raised concerns due to steep ticket prices, with seats priced at £175 (INR 19,544) and the cheapest seats for days 1 to 3 costing £90 (around INR 10,000), despite having restricted views.
Former England cricketer David Lloyd criticized the pricing, warning that Test cricket is becoming “an event only for the elite.”
He said, “Paying that much for a seat where you can’t see the entire field is ridiculous. What might you miss? The batsman? A catch down at fine leg? Test cricket is in danger of becoming an event only for the elite. It risks excluding regular fans who can’t afford such high prices. Sure, it’s fun to spot celebrities in the crowd, but cricket needs to cater to everyone, not just the rich.”
Lloyd continued, speaking on behalf of the average fan: “But who sets these prices? Who decides that £175 is fair? I’m speaking for the everyday fan. The kind who enjoys a football match with a pie and Bovril. For us, paying £120-£175 for one day of cricket is outrageous. It feels like the MCC knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing. They’re risking losing the connection between this great England team and the public.”
Many social media users echoed Lloyd’s concerns, acknowledging that such high prices would be unaffordable for them.