'We are being priced out of watching Test cricket'

Cricket fans say they are being "priced out" of watching Test cricket, after ticket prices were announced for next year's men's Ashes at Edgbaston.

The Birmingham ground will host the third Test of the best-of-five series between England and Australia next summer, with ticket prices in the Hollies Stand costing £165, up from £115 in 2023.

George Hainz, a father of two, said families were being "squeezed out of the top end of the game".

Edgbaston Stadium said entry-level prices were broadly in line with inflation and reflected rising costs.

Elsewhere in the stadium, members can purchase tickets for £92, but the cheapest adult tickets across the first three days are £115, with every ticket carrying a £2.50 booking fee.

But Hainz said he is not sure they can afford to go as a family next year, despite hoping it would be his son's first Test match.

"It is such a shame, I have friends who won't even try to get tickets because they cannot afford it. Ordinary fans are being priced out."

He said there are other costs once tickets are bought, like petrol and parking.

"It is making it inaccessible for people, it annoys me and makes me angry."

Similar concerns were raised by other fans on social media.

Posting on Facebook, Alex Fletcher said taking his family to an Ashes Test could cost more than £1,300 once tickets, travel, food and drink were included.

"Can someone tell me how that is remotely value for money or indeed an acceptable price point?" he wrote.

Mary Richardson said she and her family loved watching live cricket but described the prices as "horrendous".

"Ordinary fans get priced out", she posted.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has called the 43% ticket price increase "really poor".

Marc Webb, delivers a coaching programme called Little Batters, based from Olton and Warwickshire Cricket Club.

He works with young people and families trying to get them into cricket and build a lifelong passion.

Reacting to the ticket prices, he said he is disappointed but understands "everyone is just trying to survive."

"It is pricing a lot of people out of the sport, not just families, a lot of people will suffer."

He added that there needs to be a balance between getting cricket prices right, so ordinary families can enjoy, while maximising income.

"They are missing out on the experience and it devalues it, if they do not ever build up a rapport for that form of the game".

An Edgbaston Stadium spokesperson said: "Our prices for the 2027 Ashes Test are broadly in line with other host venues and major British sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Formula One at Silverstone."

"Our entry level ticket prices roughly match inflation compared to the last time Australia visited Edgbaston in 2023 - but like the rest of the country, we're battling increased costs and trying to manage these wherever we can."

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