The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is encountering a challenging week as it hosts five ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The first major concern is a familiar one – an India match. The T20I against Namibia (February 12) has generated high demand, with tickets sold out and requests for complimentary passes far exceeding expectations.
The second issue is more complex.
For the non-India matches, DDCA officials were tasked with reaching out to schools, offering free entry to students in uniform accompanied by teachers, to increase attendance and avoid largely empty stands.
However, with CBSE board examinations for Classes 10 and 12 beginning next week, and many schools conducting annual exams at this time of
year, institutions have largely declined the invitation.
“We contacted many schools, but with CBSE and annual exams overlapping with the tournament, institutions are not willing to send their students to watch non-India games. Actually, there is no demand for tickets except for the India game. Unlike Wankhede Stadium, where Nepalese fans accounted for 17,000 spectators, Kotla will be less than half-full save for the India game,” a senior DDCA official overseeing arrangements told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The official said weekday scheduling has further compounded the challenge.
“An empty stadium does not make for good TV viewing, with vast expanses of the galleries being an eyesore. Therefore, bringing in school children is a good idea. But we have matches on Tuesday (Feb 10), Thursday (India, Feb 12), Friday (Feb 13, UAE vs Canada), Monday (Feb 16, Afghanistan vs UAE), and Wednesday (Feb 18, SA vs UAE).
“If you factor out the India game, all matches are on weekdays. Also, the timings for non-India games are 11 am (3 games) and 3 pm (1 game). How do you expect young people to come? People don’t even want premium tickets for non-India games,” he added.
While demand for India fixtures remains strong, organisers in Delhi appear to be grappling with a more familiar reality of global tournaments – sustaining spectator interest when the host nation is not on the field.
With PTI Inputs
