BENGALURU: Despite the anticipation and online fanfare that have been built up ahead of the men’s friendly football match between India and Panama, to be played out in Bengaluru today (Friday, September 25), the players and attending supporters are possibly in for a tepid atmosphere. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has struggled to sell tickets for the game at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, with a significant proportion of the stadium scheduled to be empty, at the time of writing, for the 7:00 pm kick-off.
According to the website of the official partner for ticket sales, only the early bird tickets for select tiers – priced at Rs 499 (North Lower Stand), Rs 999 (East Lower C), 1,499 (East Upper A, East Upper B, VIP C), Rs 1,999 (West Block A), Rs 4,999 (VIP B), and Rs 9,999 (VVIP Box) – have sold out (it is unclear whether all of the tickets marked sold out had been made available in the first place). All the standard tiers (Rs 849, Rs 999, Rs 1,499, Rs 1,999, Rs 2,999, Rs 5,499, Rs 5,999, and Rs 12,999) are yet to be sold out, signalling a massively underwhelming sales performance even 24 hours before the big day.
Multiple football watchers, including supporters of the India national team, have pointed out to exorbitant prices as a defining factor for low sales. Supporters who have already purchased tickets have started reselling them at purchase price as well, with many reluctant to be part of a prospective minority at the stadium whose maximum capacity is 25,810. Bengaluru Football Club (BFC) supporters have voiced the same concern, with the club releasing season passes for the 2026-2027 season, covering all 12 home games, starting at Rs 12,499 (Around Rs 1,041 per match, including additional perks).
The fact that another Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) friendly clash awaits the India men’s national team (on October 3) – with Brazil, no less, at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata – has also emerged as a factor. “I would gladly pay more for a game with a solid side like Brazil. The current Brazil squad is stellar, with players like Vinícius Júnior and Cunha poised to play. Watching us play against Panama at these costs, although it participated in the World Cup this year, does not feel worth it,” said Avinash P, a BFC supporter.
As aforementioned, multiple potential attendees who bought the tickets are rushing to sell them. “I purchased two early bird tickets in West Block A for Rs 1,999 each, and I am trying to sell both of them with no success so far. It seems illogical to pay that much to watch the game in a conspicuously empty stadium,” said Rashmi Gautam, a BFC supporter and amateur footballer.
