County cricket’s Twenty20 competition returns this week with a new name, ticket sales at record levels – and Finals Day at Edgbaston in September already a sell-out.
Vitality will be the title sponsors of the Blast for the next four years as a central part of their backing of Twenty20 cricket and the Vitality Blast begins on Wednesday with three fixtures.
That will be followed by Derbyshire Falcons’ opening fixture versus Lancashire Lightning at The 3aaa County Ground on Friday 6 July – with a capacity crowd expected.
After a collaborative marketing campaign between the ECB and the 18 counties which saw a repeat of last year’s successful co-ordination of tickets going on sale on March 1, sales across the 18 counties are at record levels, and almost 20% up on the equivalent stage last summer.
A comprehensive multi-channel nationwide advertising campaign was launched at the start of June, featuring county-specific cinema advertising to drive awareness of the Vitality Blast competition.
Edgbaston will host Finals Day for the sixth year running and the 10th time in all, this year on Saturday – and Warwickshire today announced that all tickets have been sold, other than the allocation that are held back for each of the four counties who make the semi-finals. That means a 60% increase on this time last year.
Tom Harrison, the ECB’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “ECB and the 18 Counties have developed a great partnership in promoting the competition; that’s clear in the level of interest and volume of ticket sales before the Vitality Blast starts this week.
“We’re going to see compelling cricket and strong crowds with some exciting overseas signings and England’s white-ball specialists available to play more often.
“Vitality start their partnership with the County competition more popular than ever, following a Royal London One-Day Cup Final that attracted its biggest crowd since 2009 and in the middle of a perfect spell of weather.
“Vitality Blast promises a thrilling three months of cricket.”
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons host seven Twenty20 games this July and August. Purchase your tickets in advance and save from £4. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
[twentyticket]
