At a time when the Indian Premier League is slowly losing its popularity among the viewers in India, the Bangalore franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore have taken a big step in trying to increase the reach of the game among the masses.
The Bangalore franchise has the costliest tickets in the whole of the IPL at their home ground Chinnaswamy Stadium by with a view to increasing the spectatorship in the ground, they have now decided to reduce the prices of their tickets.
According to an RCB spokesperson, prices of tickets in their two premium stands are now reduced to try and get more people to watch the game in the stadium.
The Times of India revealed that tickets in the D-Corporate and Fan Terrace-N stands that earlier cost Rs 6,000-Rs 7,000 will now cost between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000 depending on whether they are played on a weekday or a weekend, according to the revised ticket prices.
Chinnaswamy Stadium is set to hold at least another 5 games in the remained of the season and it was revealed that The Fan Terrace will continue to be a hospitality stand where unlimited food, alcohol and beverages will be served.
However, the D-Corporate is now turned into a non-hospitality stand with stalls set up to sell a variety of foods and non-alcoholic beverages for the fans.
The home ground of the franchise has a capacity of 32,000 spectators but the two matches that already took place in the competition saw a very small crowd in parts of the stadium.
A recent report revealed that the viewership of the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League is seeing a drastic reduction in it popularity and the high prices at the stadium has only reduced the viewership for the Bangalore franchise.
However, with players like AB De Villiers, Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli playing for the franchise, it is hard to see the grounds empty when RCB takes to the field.
But it is a pleasant view to see the officials have taken steps to help fans get closer to their idols.
This should act as a lesson for all the franchises who will have to re-think their pricing strategy to attract more crowds for the home games.
RCB welcome former IPL Champions Kolkata Knight Riders in their next home game on the 2nd of May by which time these new prices will take effect.