Quiet Build-up and Ticket Concerns Surround India vs Panama Friendly in Bengaluru
· Sports · India Today, Times of India, Sportstar
India return to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru for their first match at the venue since winning the 2023 SAFF Championship. The team faces World Cup-bound Panama in an international friendly, but the fixture has generated unusually muted public excitement in the city. Discussions among local supporters have centred on ticket pricing and the broader allocation of Indian football resources. Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia's recent call to boycott a separate friendly against Brazil has further fuelled debates over the state of the domestic game. While merchandise vendors report slow sales, local supporters like student Johnathan Murray chose to attend open training sessions instead of match day.
Why it matters
Low ticket sales and fan apathy raise questions about the commercial viability and fan engagement surrounding high-profile international friendlies in India.
Read the original report — India Today
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