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Empty Stands at Salt Lake Stadium as Discounts Fail to Draw Crowds for India Uruguay Friendly
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News18•06-10-2026, 19:45
Empty Stands at Salt Lake Stadium as Discounts Fail to Draw Crowds for India Uruguay Friendly
- •Despite a 90 percent price cut and thousands of free passes distributed by the AIFF, the Salt Lake Stadium remained largely empty for India's friendly against Uruguay.
- •Only about 15000 fans attended the kickoff, echoing the poor turnout seen earlier during India's match against Brazil at the same venue.
- •Uruguay was coached by 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan, who returned to Kolkata a decade after his ISL stint with Mumbai City.
- •Organizers had also distributed 22000 complimentary passes to fans affected by last year's chaotic Lionel Messi tour, but it failed to fill the 68000-capacity arena.
Key Questions Answered
Organizers slashed ticket prices by about 90% in some blocks—lowering tickets from Rs 749 to Rs 199—and distributed complimentary passes, including 22,000 passes to individuals who purchased tickets for last year's Lionel Messi tour of Kolkata.
Legendary striker and 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan serves as the head coach of Uruguay, having taken over from Marcelo Bielsa following their group stage exit in the 2026 World Cup.
Despite initial empty seats and criticism over ticket prices ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 25,000, the official attendance for the Brazil match was announced at 51,402 after numerous complimentary passes were distributed as the game progressed.
