CSK home matches tickets to go on sale from April 2

Sale of tickets for Chennai Super Kings home matches during IPL-11, at MA Chidambaram Stadium, will begin on April 2. The minimum price of tickets is Rs 1,300 for C, D and E stands (lower tier), said a press note. The tickets would be sold from 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 2 to 6 PM on designated days.

The premium hospitality tickets are priced between Rs 5,000 and 6,500. CSK plays the first home match against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 10. Not more than two tickets will be sold per person at the counter, it said.

Tickets can be booked online at chennaisuperkings.com and bookmyshow.com. This makes Chennai the second most expensive place to watch IPL this season. The last time Chepauk hosted IPL in 2015, the lowest price of tickets was Rs 750. However, what they are charging this year is less than what their arch-rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore have decided. The cheapest ticket in Bengaluru will cost Rs 1,700.

The surge in the cost of tickets

However, the M Chinnaswamy stadium has been an expensive place to watch IPL for some years now but considering the buzz that CSK’s return is created even during their practice sessions last week where thousands came to watch, it is no surprise that there has been a big surge in tickets for the Chennai locals.

However, the real reason behind the price of the tickets becoming considerably costly is the surge in taxes. The minimum price of tickets still remains Rs 750, but 28% GST and 25% entertainment tax push it to Rs 1,300. Other tickets cost Rs 2,500. Rs 4,500, Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,500.  This is the first time that the cheapest IPL ticket in the city has crossed four figures, as reported by New Indian Express.

Though Chepauk has a capacity of around 38,000, only 6,000 tickets will be available for the public, with the sponsors taking the rest. Three stands — I, J, K — with 12,000 seats remain closed for safety reasons.