Cricket Australia to review ticket prices following Brisbane Test crowd figures

Cricket Australia will review ticket prices at the end of what is shaping up as an underwhelming summer. With the obvious exception of the inaugural day-night Test, ticket sales have been sluggish and interest low in Australia’s three-Test series against New Zealand and the West Indies.

A crowd of 1,373 watched day five of the first trans-Tasman Test in Brisbane – a figure the ABC claims was severely inflated. The total attendance for the match was 53,572, a Gabba record for a trans-Tasman Test. But the unedifying sight of empty stands was bemoaned by plenty, including skipper Steve Smith.

There were many reasons behind the figures, yet price is the one over which CA has the most control. “It’s something we’re certainly not blind to,” CA chief executive James Sutherland told ABC radio. “We’ll definitely be reviewing that in greater detail when it comes to the end of this season.”

Sutherland added it would be naive to believe that price was solely responsible for fans staying away. “It’s not a silver bullet solution. Any marketer or economist will tell you it’s not all about price,” he said.

Sutherland highlighted the fact CA committed to broadcasting all Tests live into local markets in 2013 as one of the other key factors. Previously there would be some form of blackout or delay – incentivising locals to attend the match.

“We don’t want anyone to have any excuse to say they can’t watch the cricket on TV,” Sutherland said. “That’s a very significant step that we’ve taken and that changes the dynamics of the whole equation.”

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/no...wd-figures

The Sydney Morning Herald provided a little more information on the first Test in Brisbane:

Quote:The first Test at the Gabba has set a new trans-Tasman attendance record for the venue, despite stands being empty and fans sparse.

Day four of the clash attracted just 6,608 cricket supporters, largely due to showers that meant only 53 overs of play was possible.

The crowd over the first four days totalled 52,199. The highest attendance for a trans-Tasman Test at the venue had previously been 52,082 - in 2004.

The first day was the best attended, when 16,181 came to the ground.

To put the numbers in a different context, AFL club Brisbane managed to draw a bigger crowd to eight of their 11 games in 2015. The Lions finished second last on the ladder, winning just four games for the season.

It shows just how low-drawing a side New Zealand are, while the unusually early date for the first Test has also been a source of frustration for Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket.

FIRST TEST CROWD
Day 1 - 16,181
Day 2- 14,187
Day 3 - 15,223
Day 4 - 6,608.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/aust...ktwq9.html

I wasn't aware that Australia/New Zealand Test matches are typically such a low draw. It certainly makes the introduction of the day/night Test match more understandable now. I fear for what the attendances will be when West Indies tour next month.

All Stars match in NY:  36K  :o
Houston match:  25K  8)
LA match, estimated 35K  :-[


Gabba ghost of cricket past....All Stars ghost of cricket future.  :-*