Reports: BCCI likely to allow crowds up to 50% capacity in IPL 2022 from April 6

The highly anticipated 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) commenced on March 26 (Saturday). To limit the traveling and the exposure to COVID-19, the tournament is being played across four venues in Maharashtra (3 in Mumbai and 1 in Pune). Also, to start with, the Maharashtra government and BCCI agreed to allow 50% crowd capacity from April 6.

Things are likely to change soon as the BCCI is pondering to allow even more fans into the stadiums with the COVID situation easing out with every passing day. India reported 1,498 new COVID-19 cases to go with 45 deaths on March 31. The number has significantly come down compared to when the second or third wave had hit the country.

According to journalist K Shriniwas Rao, BCCI might allow up to 75% capacity crowds for the matches after April 20. This is a delighting news for the Indian fans who have missed watching the IPL from the stands over the last two seasons.

Tickets for matches starting from April 6 — MI vs KKR in Pune — up to matches ending on April 20 — between PBKS vs DC also in Pune — will be sold at 50% of stadium capacity.

This is what Book My Show is saying.

I guess, matches after April 20 coud go beyond 75% capacity.

— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) April 1, 2022

“Ticket sales for the next set of matches are live even as the BCCI has announced an increase in stadium occupancy to 50%, which was earlier capped at 25% thereby extending the opportunity for many more fans across India and beyond to experience the IPL action live in the stadia,” read a statement from BookMyShow, the official ticketing partners for IPL 2022.

Notably in 2020, the entire season was played in the UAE while last year, the first phase took place in India behind the closed door. After COVID-19 outbreak led to postponement of the IPL, the second phase was staged in the UAE yet again. With the action having returned to India and now the BCCI allowing more crowd in the stadiums, a lot more fans will be able to watch their superstar players.

The Indian Premier League this year has become a ten-team affair after the addition of two new teams, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, alongside the previous eight teams.