It used to be one of the golden tickets in British sport – so in demand that thousands queued outside grounds like Old Trafford, in the hope of getting their hands on one.
England versus Australia. The Ashes. The greatest of rivalries in cricket. A sporting spectacle like no other – and one not to be missed. And now, as it turns out, one of the most expensive sporting spectacles as well.
In their wisdom, the ECB has decided to hike up ticket prices for next summer’s Ashes series on these shores. Not content with failing to stage a Test match north of Nottingham, those buffoons at the ECB have chosen to charge people 43% more for the privilege of watching England lose to the Aussies again.
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How moronic do people have to be to put the price of a product up, even though it has become inferior? England haven’t won the Ashes on home soil in more than a decade.
Last winter, England humiliated themselves both on and off the pitch Down Under. The series was lost 4-1. A total shambles which involved the first Test in Perth being lost inside two days.
The drinking culture of the squad was exposed when Ben Duckett found himself being filmed while struggling to stand up. Since then, not much has changed.
More misdemeanours have come to light, resulting in Ben Stokes retiring and Brendon McCullum getting sacked as head coach of the red ball team.
And just last month Brydon Carse was arrested outside a club in Derby, to find himself axed from the team for the second and third Tests against Pakistan.
So it feels fitting and ironic that the ECB are now taking a turn at not having a leg to stand on. Because on current evidence, there is nothing to suggest England will win back the Ashes next summer.
So there can be no justification in charging punters a lot more than what they’re used to, or can afford, to witness more dross.
Let’s be honest. Beating a third rate Pakistan team means nothing. Which might explain why tickets for next week’s third Test in Birmingham have not sold out.
Tickets for the Hollies Stand at Edgbaston for what will be the third Test in 2027, will cost £165, compared to £115 back in 2023. Prices for the Tests at Lord’s and the Oval go up to £190.
An Edgbaston spokesperson claims the new prices are in line with “other host venues and major British sporting events”.
Which is absolute tosh, considering a ground pass at Wimbledon, arguably the biggest annual British sporting event of all, costs between £21 and £23, depending on the day of the tournament you choose to attend.
The ECB have become the latest organisation to treat people with a lack of appreciation and respect. Following on from Ryder Cup organisers charging fans £434 to watch the event in Ireland next September.
In short, acts like those above price and drive working class people out of attending events. Those same people who make them great in the first place.