T20 World Cup co-hosts and two-time champions West Indies kicked off their marketing campaign on Sunday in opposition to minnow Papua New Guinea on the Windfall Stadium in Guyana. Nonetheless, empty stands and lack of buzz was fairly evident within the Group C opener. The seats contained in the stadium have been partially stuffed with many of the stands being empty and remoted. Reacting to the shortage of buzz within the Caribbean nation, followers on social media labelled it as unhappy and disappointing.

Here is how social media reacted:

Empty stands in Guyana.

Morning match with excessive ticketing costs have resulted in much less crowds. pic.twitter.com/BbxegLme0m

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 2, 2024

The Empty stands at Guyana.

– That is unhappy to see Empty stadium for the Dwelling crew West Indies sport in T20 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/MN9ot2TxJ7

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2024

These are empty stands within the West Indies and the house crew is taking part in, after which individuals say the whole lot is organized as per Indian viewers. pic.twitter.com/DDKadQPYj4

— Div(@div_yumm) June 2, 2024

The Empty stands at Guyana.

– That is unhappy to see Empty stadium for the Dwelling crew West Indies sport in T20 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/fPsw63lGmB

— CRICKET FAN (@Rishi174911) June 2, 2024

Guyana empty stands.

A morning match with costly tickets has drawn fewer spectators. pic.twitter.com/pjO7a0EVJs

— GS SPORTS (@Gssports25) June 2, 2024

There was additionally a turnout within the opening sport between USA and Canada in Dallas. There are nonetheless tickets accessible for the extremely anticipated India-Pakistan sport on June 9 in New York, notably for the Diamond Membership, Nook Golf equipment, and Premium Membership Lounge (North) sections.

One of many largest causes for this lack of buzz has been the pricing of the tickets.

“I do not assume there may be sufficient buzz for the World Cup right here as in comparison with India, as a result of it hasn’t been marketed as a lot. I really feel they might have accomplished much more by way of build-up. However I’m hoping that because the match progresses, it is going to acquire extra curiosity. While you journey by means of areas or through airports, there’s not a lot buzz or hoardings.” mentioned Prasanna Balakrishnan.

“While you undergo an airport in a rustic internet hosting a serious occasion like a World Cup, you get to see hoardings or different indicators there for it. However I’ve seen from individuals travelling for the match by means of their X (previously Twitter) posts that there hasn’t been a lot on this entrance,” he mentioned. “Event promotions within the USA have been right here and there. It has been first rate, however not as a lot as a result of aside from the Asian inhabitants over right here and somewhere else, I’m not certain if it has reached a lot.”

“Time will inform about it as there are just a few good video games in Dallas, New York, and Florida, together with matches of USA, Canada, and Nepal as effectively, and the way they’re obtained,” provides Prasanna, who shall be current within the stadium to see all of India’s league matches in New York and Florida.

What has additionally been astonishing is a launch from USA Cricket earlier this week saying followers can now safe tickets for the co-hosts’ three house matches (barring the one in opposition to India) at a exceptional 25% low cost. The transfer hints at an absence of buzz for the match resulting in empty seats in stadiums for the matches.

“When the primary batch of ticket gross sales opened, they did not enable us to decide on seats. Like, they allowed us to decide on sure classes like commonplace, premium, VIP, and many others. Solely after that, they opened us few seats. We thought they have been bought out however weren’t so.”

(With IANS Inputs)