Ashes ticket price increase 'really poor' - Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has called a 43% ticket price increase for next year's men's Ashes Test at Edgbaston "really poor".

The Birmingham ground will host the third Test of the best-of-five series between England and Australia next summer, with ticket prices in the Hollies Stand - which holds almost 6,000 spectators - costing £165, up from £115 in 2023.

Elsewhere in the stadium, members can purchase tickets for £92, but the cheapest adult tickets across the first three days are £115, with every ticket carrying a £2.50 booking fee.

"This is really poor," Vaughan posted on social media in response to the news.

Following the 2023 series, which ended in a 2-2 draw after Australia won the first two Tests (at Edgbaston and Lord's), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said "every day sold out in advance, with total attendance topping 545,000".

An Edgbaston Stadium spokesperson said: "Our prices for the 2027 Ashes Test are broadly in line with other host venues and major British sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Formula One at Silverstone.

"Our entry level ticket prices roughly match inflation compared to the last time Australia visited Edgbaston in 2023 - but like the rest of the country, we're battling increased costs and trying to manage these wherever we can."

Despite Warwickshire's Edgbaston stadium being at a reduced capacity because of the construction of an on-site hotel, tickets for next week's third Test between England and Pakistan, which range between £57.50-£87.50 for adults, have not sold out.

The ticket ballot for the 2027 Ashes opened on Wednesday, with prices more expensive at Lord's and the Oval in London, with the best tickets at £190 and £185.

England, who lost 4-1 in Australia last winter, begin their quest to regain the Ashes at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on 18 June.

The second Ashes Test at Lord's begins on 30 June and the third at Edgbaston on 8 July.

The Utilita Bowl in Southampton will become the 10th UK ground to host a men's Ashes Test when the fourth Test gets under way on 21 July, with the series concluding at the Kia Oval from 29 July.

BBC Sport has contacted the ECB and all the Test venues for comment.

Ticket prices for sporting events have been an ongoing point of contention for fans.

A crowd of 13,623 were at Birmingham's 23,000-capacity Alexander Stadium to watch Britain's 24-year-old sprinter Amy Hunt win the women's 100m at the European Athletics Championships last month.

Athletics supporters blamed ticket prices, with Category A tickets for the home straight costing £150.

For the men's 100m final those same seats cost £110, again with no concessions for juniors.

In April, Ryder Cup organisers defended ticket prices for next year's centenary golf event between Europe and the United States in Ireland.

Daily general admission tickets for the three tournament days on 17-19 September at Adare Manor in County Limerick will cost 499 euros (£434), compared with up to 260 euros in Italy in 2023.

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