Hundreds Unsold Tickets for India-Pakistan Asia Cup Match in Dubai

For the highly anticipated India-Pakistan cricket match at the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, an unusual number of tickets remain unsold despite the historic rivalry between the two teams. Contributing factors include the scorching September heat in Dubai, with temperatures around 36°C and high humidity, making outdoor spectating uncomfortable, as well as ongoing political tensions exacerbated by a recent cross-border conflict in May, leading to calls for boycotts among some fans. Ticket prices, ranging from approximately $13 to as high as $1,645 for premium hospitality sections, have been slashed by up to 30% in an effort to boost sales, yet about half of the 25,000 stadium seats remain available. Some fans who usually miss out on India-Pakistan matches are now able to purchase tickets, while others protest by choosing not to attend or watch the game. Organizers such as the Emirates Cricket Board have described ticket sales as encouraging, but sentiment among the public suggests diminished enthusiasm for the match compared to past encounters. This situation marks a rare occurrence of empty seats for such a fixture, highlighting how external factors beyond the sport itself are influencing fan engagement.