Dharamsala, May 2: With the May 4 Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Punjab Kings XI and Lucknow Super Giants fast approaching, tickets for the high-demand fixture at Dharamsala’s international cricket stadium have mysteriously become unavailable through official channels—both online and offline.
However, ticket offers circulating on social media have raised concerns over possible black-market activity.
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), responsible for organizing the match, maintains that ticket sales were handled fairly. “All tickets were sold transparently through authorized online and offline platforms,” HPCA director Sanjay Sharma told reporters. “If some individuals are attempting to sell tickets at inflated prices on social media, the matter should be probed by the police.”
Dharamsala, a hill station known for its scenic beauty and tourist footfall, regularly sees packed stands during IPL games.
The cricket frenzy often leads to a scramble for tickets, made more complex by the distribution of free passes.
Sources familiar with the ticketing process claim that nearly 20 percent of the stadium’s tickets are handed out as complimentary passes to local officials, political figures, and their associates.
Local hotel owners have expressed frustration with the current distribution system, saying it negatively affects tourism.
“When tourists come to Dharamsala for the IPL and can’t find tickets, it’s a major disappointment,” said a hotelier. “We’ve requested the IPL organisers to release more tickets for actual spectators instead of distributing them as passes.”
The Dharamsala stadium has a seating capacity of around 22,000 and usually operates at full capacity for marquee IPL matches.
Due to the expected turnout, local authorities are tasked with implementing special arrangements, including increased police deployment and traffic management measures, to ensure the event runs smoothly.
With demand high and supply scarce, concerns persist that the system is being gamed. Calls for greater transparency and a crackdown on illicit sales continue to mount as the match day nears.
