India vs Pakistan World Cup match draws more ticket requests than final

Demand for tickets to India’s group stage meeting with Pakistan at the 2027 Cricket World Cup has overtaken interest in the final, according to the International Cricket Council. The governing body said on Monday that the October 10 fixture at the Wanderers in Johannesburg had attracted 8.4 million requests, compared with nearly eight million for the November 21 final in the same city.

World Cup encounters between the South Asian neighbours usually generate more ticket requests than any match except the final. For next year’s tournament, their opening phase contest has surpassed even that benchmark. The teams could also face each other in the Super Seven stage and then again in the final, depending on how far each advances.

This is the fourth successive 50-over World Cup in which India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group, ensuring that the tournament’s most lucrative group fixture takes place. Their placement was determined through a ballot conducted behind closed doors, a process that differs from those used by other major global sporting events.

The competition’s 12 teams are divided into two groups. Australia, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will compete in Group A alongside a qualifier. Group B comprises New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England and Bangladesh, with another qualifier completing the field. The tournament’s initial phase will follow a round-robin-style format.

South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will share hosting duties for the 57-match competition, which runs from October 7 to November 21, 2027, across 12 venues. Namibia will host men’s ICC Cricket World Cup games for the first time, while Zimbabwe will showcase its new stadium at Victoria Falls.

The online ticket ballot began on October 1 and remains open until midnight Central African Time, or 22:00 GMT, on November 21. By Sunday, total requests had exceeded 120 million, submitted through 2.8 million distinct fan accounts spanning 193 countries.

According to the ICC, South Africa, the United Kingdom, India, the United States and Australia are leading ballot registrations. Fans across Africa, including the three host countries, accounted for 14.9 million ticket applications.

The tournament will bring the World Cup back to Africa after a 24-year absence. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya hosted the 2003 competition, when Australia beat India by 125 runs in the final at the Wanderers. That ground also hosted the final of the inaugural men’s T20 World Cup in 2007, which India won against Pakistan. South Africa later staged the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy, with Australia winning the final at SuperSport Park in Centurion.