Cricket counties fear losing millions in Twenty20 Blast sales
Cricket counties fear losing MILLIONS in Twenty20 Blast ticket sales if the government postpone stage four lockdown measures… with Surrey, Middlesex and Lancashire having budgeted for sell-out crowds
- Counties are fearing further multi-million pound losses in Twenty20 Blast sales
- The 2021 competition begins on Tuesday with crowds set to return to the stands
- Many are anticipating full houses when the government plan to lift restrictions
- But a delaying of the lockdown could see several lose out on vital revenue
Counties are fearing the prospect of further multi-million pound losses in Twenty20 Blast ticket sales, amid growing concerns that the Government will postpone the end of lockdown measures.
The 2021 competition begins on Tuesday with counties permitted to welcome crowds of up to one quarter capacity — around 7,500 are expected at Middlesex’s derby with Surrey at Lord’s on Wednesday — but many had budgeted for full houses from after 21 June when the Government had planned to lift all restrictions.
The 18 first-class counties lost a combined total of around £25million last year due to all of the Blast being played behind closed doors and need to claw back much-needed revenue.
Counties are fearing the prospect of further multi-million pound losses in T20 Blast ticket sales
Many counties had budgeted for full houses from after 21 June and the end of lockdown
Surrey, Middlesex and Lancashire will be the biggest losers if the Government defer the final lockdown easing by several weeks as is expected, as they have recorded bumper sales for the latter half of their group games.
The group stage finishes on July 18, so could all take place in front of restricted crowds.
The quarter-finals will take place from August 24-27 with the finals day held on September 18.
Surrey (pictured, The Oval) Middlesex and Lancashire will be the biggest losers of a delay
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