The Hundred’s success last summer, which saw over half a million tickets sold for the inaugural edition of the cricket tournament, will see organisers maintain a similar low-cost ticketing strategy for younger fans in 2022.
Tickets will be available to those under 16 for just £5 (€6/$6.70), while children under five can watch the action for free. The family-focused tournament will also feature more activities around each ground to entertain families alongside the thrilling matches.Ticket buyers will also be able to choose their own seats this year with each venue having a dedicated family-friendly zone.
Fans will be able to purchase tickets in two priority windows – the first of which is reserved for 2021 ticket holders and members in late February. The second window will accommodate those that have signed up via The Hundred’s website and will open on March 31. Tickets will then go on general sale from April 20.
The first year of The Hundred saw 510,000 tickets snapped up and issued for the competition, with 19% of all tickets accounted for by under 16s. Women’s cricket witnessed some of the highest ever attendances globally and 55% of ticket holders had never bought a ticket to watch cricket in this country before.
Defending men’s champions of The Hundred, Southern Brave, will take on Welsh Fire at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton in the opening match of the tournament on August 3.
As women’s cricket will be featured at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games for the first time, the women’s edition of The Hundred will get underway on August 11, following the Games’ conclusion. Defending women’s champions Oval Invincibles will take on Northern Superchargers in the opening clash, which also marks the first men’s and women’s double header of The Hundred. The women’s team will take the evening shift at The Kia Oval, while the men will battle it out during the afternoon.
Due to the clash with the Commonwealth Games and resulting delay, the women’s group stage will only consist of six matches per team, compared with the men’s eight games.
Managing director for The Hundred Sanjay Patel said: “The Hundred helped grow the game last year. With more than 500,000 tickets sold and issued and 16 million watching on TV – with half of them being new to cricket – we saw a new audience enjoying the game for the first time.
“We can’t wait to build on that this year, bringing world class cricket and an incredible family day out to fans across England and Wales.”
Alice Capsey, who was part of the Oval Invincibles last year, said: “Last year was such an exciting first year for the women’s game. Playing in the opening match of the competition and winning the first-ever final of The Hundred are moments that I will never forget.
“I still remember seeing all the fans at the Oval for the first game, there were so many young girls, it was so special. I’m sure the second year of the women’s competition is going to be even more exciting. Everyone involved will be desperate to get going again and hopefully we can bring even more fans to the game.”
Tymal Mills, a winner with the Southern Brave, added: “The team can’t wait to get going again to try to defend our title this summer. The support we received last year at the Ageas Bowl was incredible and it’s really special that the second year of The Hundred will start there on August 3. I hope there’s a full house cheering the team on and the fans get a real show.”
The final is set to take place at Lord’s on September 3, with the ‘eliminator’ taking place the day before.
Images: ECB
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