Fans to return to stadiums during India tour of Aus; Adelaide to have 27,000

In what comes as good news for fans during the COVID pandemic, Cricket Australia (CA) has announced that spectators will be allowed at stadiums during the India-Australia limited-overs and Test series, and tickets will go on sale from next week.

The Virat Kohli-led Indian teams will play three T20Is, three ODIs, and four Tests, starting from November 27 with the 50-over games.

After the outbreak of the pandemic, sporting events have been played in front of empty stadiums. However, recently in the US, the baseball World Series saw the return of fans as 11,500 tickets were made available in Texas.

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On Tuesday (November 10), CA released ticket prices, tickets on sale dates and projected venue capacities for all matches of the 2020-21 men’s international summer. And, there is no increase in ticket prices.

“Venue capacities will continue to vary by market depending on government allowances and in line with the approved COVIDSafe plans,” CA said.

“The SCG, which is set to host ODI and T20 INTL matches and the Vodafone Pink Test this summer, will hold 50 per cent (23,000) of total capacity, as will Canberra’s Manuka Oval (6,000) for their ODI and T20 INTL matches and the Adelaide Oval (27,000) for historic Day-Night Test match starting December 17,” it said.

Kohli will be playing only the first Test of the series. He will return to India to be with his pregnant wife Anushka Sharma to welcome their first child in January 2021.

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The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), venue for the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia from December 26, will allow 25% of the capacity on each day. So, 25,000 fans will be allowed.

“At this stage, the Boxing Day Test is set to hold at least 25 per cent of total capacity across Public, Member and Corporate tickets, equating to 25,000 fans each day of the Test. The Gabba (Brisbane) is set to host crowds at 75 per cent (30,000) of venue capacity for the fourth and final Test of the Vodafone Series, starting on January 15, 2021,” CA said.

Nick Hockley, CA’s interim chief executive officer, said, “Having confirmed the schedule for the Australia-India Men’s series, we are so excited to confirm ticket pricing and crowd capacities for this highly-anticipated summer of International cricket.”

“State governments in each host city are providing phenomenal support and we are working closely with them to determine venue capacities and biosecurity requirements that place everyone’s safety as the priority,” he added.

India vs Australia series schedule with information on number of fans allowed

ODIs

First ODI: November 27, SCG, Sydney (23,000)

Second ODI: November 29, SCG (23,000)

Third ODI: December 2, Manuka Oval, Canberra (6,000)

T20Is

First T20I: December 4, Manuka Oval (6,000)

Second T20I: December 6, SCG (23,000)

Third T20I: December 8, SCG (23,000)

Tests

First Test (Day-Night): December 17-21, Adelaide Oval (27,000 per day)

Second Test: December 26-30, MCG, Melbourne (25,000 per day)

Third Test: January 7-11, SCG (23,000 per day)

Fourth Test: January 15-19, Gabba, Brisbane (30,000 per day)