Dubai is buzzing with cricket fever as the Asia Cup 2025 gathers pace, but ahead of the most anticipated clash of the tournament – India vs Pakistan on September 14 – there’s an unexpected twist: tickets, even for the most high-profile seats, are still unsold.
Yes, you read that right. Despite the unparalleled hype and historic rivalry between the two Asian giants, top-tier tickets remain available, and experts believe sky-high prices and bundled packages might be keeping fans at bay this time.
A Price Too High?
According to a Times of India report, ticket prices for this marquee clash at Dubai International Stadium have reached jaw-dropping levels. On platforms like Viagogo and Platinumlist, VIP Suites East are priced at Rs 2,57,815 for two seats. These ultra-premium packages include perks like aisle seating, unlimited food and drinks, parking, VIP lounge access, and private facilities but the price tag seems to have crossed the comfort zone for many fans.
Other ticket tiers aren’t exactly affordable either:
- Royal Box: Rs 2,30,700 (for two)
- Sky Box East: Rs 1,67,851
- Platinum: Rs 75,659
- Grand Lounge: Rs 41,153
- Pavilion West: Rs 28,174
Even the General East section – the cheapest available – costs nearly Rs 10,000 for a pair of seats.
Considering the match involves India and Pakistan – a fixture that historically sells out within minutes – this sluggish ticket movement has caught everyone off guard.
A Measured Build-Up to a Fiery Encounter
The tension around the match is palpable, but so far, carefully managed. During the captains’ press conference in Dubai on Tuesday, India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha were seated apart, with Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan placed between them. A symbolic gesture, perhaps, to maintain calm before what’s expected to be a fiercely contested game.
Speaking to reporters, Suryakumar didn’t shy away from acknowledging the fire this rivalry brings.
“Aggression is always there on the field, and you can’t do without aggression if you want to win,” he said.
Meanwhile, Salman Agha took a cooler tone, emphasizing individuality over intensity:
“I let players express themselves. That’s how they play their best cricket.”
India enters the tournament as the defending champions and eight-time Asia Cup winners. They kick off their campaign against hosts UAE on September 10, and will aim to carry that momentum into the clash against Pakistan just four days later.
What’s Going On With the Tickets?
Cricket in the subcontinent is often described as a religion, and India-Pakistan games are its most sacred rituals. Normally, these tickets vanish within hours – if not minutes. But the current trend tells a different story.
The slow uptake could stem from a mix of factors:
- Overpriced bundled packages
- Limited affordability for average fans
- A possible overestimation of post-pandemic demand
- And perhaps, the rise of streaming and digital viewing habits
- Regardless, it’s rare to see such availability so close to the match date.
Will Prices Drop Closer to the Game?
That remains to be seen. For now, premium ticket holders will still enjoy a luxurious matchday experience, but the empty spots in those expensive boxes might tell their own story when the cameras pan around the stadium.
As India and Pakistan prepare to renew one of the most intense rivalries in sport, fans are left weighing passion against price. Whether the seats fill up or not, one thing is certain – when the first ball is bowled on September 14, the cricketing world will be watching.
