Australia and South Africa are set to clash in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final from June 11-15 at Lord’s, London. However, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is projected to face a loss of up to £4 million (₹45.08 crore) due to India’s absence from the summit clash.

As per a report by The Times, MCC had originally priced tickets at high rates, anticipating huge demand from Indian supporters. But since India did not qualify, demand fell drastically, and organizers were left with no choice but to cut ticket prices by about £50 (₹5,633) per ticket to fill up the stadium.

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Ticket Prices Cut to Improve Attendance

MCC initially believed that India’s enthusiastic cricket support base would necessitate ticket sales in excess of demand. When, however, India failed to advance to the WTC final after consecutive Test series defeats, anticipated revenue fell.

“Organisers had initially set ticket prices at a premium level, anticipating India fan demand would exceed supply, but the lack of India has severely limited the financial bonanza anticipated by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), highlighting the financial power of Indian cricket throughout the international game,” the report added.

In response to this, MCC has made ticket prices flexible, lowering rates from their initial price.

“The move to go flexible on ticket prices for World Test Championship final was made this year, and tickets are being sold at a price of £40 to £90, some £50 lower than they had been priced before, factoring in the revenue loss,” said the report.

India’s Surprise Exit from WTC Final Race

India was a favorite to win a third successive WTC final but experienced a dramatic collapse in their bid. The Rohit Sharma side initially lost a 0-3 home series to New Zealand, their first Test series defeat at home since 2012-13. It got worse when India went down 1-3 against Australia in a five-match Test series in Australia, putting their chances of qualification out of the window.

India-England Test at Lord’s Experiences Robust Demand

Even though MCC suffered a defeat in the WTC final, Lord’s will host a high-profile India vs England Test match in July soon. Surprisingly, tickets for the first four days have already been sold out, which reaffirms India’s robust hold on global cricket revenues.

In the absence of India in the WTC final, MCC’s financial loss indicates how important Indian cricket supporters are to the global economy of the sport.