Empty Seats at Eden Gardens Spark Fan Disappointment

Kolkata, April 03, 2025 – A rare and concerning sight unfolded at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Numerous seats remained empty during the initial stages of the game, leading to widespread discussion and criticism among fans.

The Scene at Eden Gardens

Initial images circulating on social media platforms depicted a noticeably empty section of the stadium, particularly in the Hangpan stand. While the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) confirmed an official attendance of 34,000, the visual impact of the vacant seats prompted reactions ranging from surprise to disappointment.

Fan Reactions and Ticket Price Concerns

Fans quickly attributed the sparsely filled stands to the perceived increase in ticket prices. Several took to social media to voice their discontent:

• “I’m here present at Eden and it’s 80% filled up. Only 1 stand (Hangpan) is empty because of the price range...The price range of those seats are very high for no reason.”
• “Eden Gardens (KKR) increased the price of Tickets & the result is Half Empty Eden Gardens. This is how lesson is needed.”
• “So sad, Eden Gardens (KKR) increased the price of Tickets & the result is Half Empty Eden Gardens. This is how lesson is needed.”

Some fans even suggested a boycott of future matches to pressure the CAB into reconsidering the pricing structure.

CAB Response and Match Outcome

While the CAB has not issued a formal statement addressing the fan criticism, reports indicate that they are reviewing ticket prices for upcoming matches. Despite the empty seats, KKR managed to secure a convincing 80-run victory over SRH. KKR scored an excellent 200 in the first innings, and the opening combination of Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana opened the SRH batting line-up up before Varun Chakaravarthy’s three wickets closed the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why were there so many empty seats at Eden Gardens? Fan speculation points to the recent increase in ticket prices.

2. Has the CAB responded to the criticism? While no official statement has been released, reports suggest a review of ticket prices is underway.

3. Will ticket prices be reduced for future matches? It is anticipated that the CAB will consider fan feedback and potentially adjust prices for upcoming games.

4. What impact will this have on future KKR matches? It remains to be seen if the CAB’s response will positively affect attendance at future games.