Ashes 2015 (how to attend?)

[ptrg]

G'day, random question about the upcoming ashes in pommyland; is there any way to purchase days 1-4 of any of the matches, and not pay $1995 (that's the cheapest I can find, and you have to be part of the fanatics)..

$400 a day is pretty incredible (yes, you get basic accomo, but I'm sure I can source that much cheaper at a hostel..)

I've looked at ballots, but the downside is that you may get a random day or two if you're very lucky, but no chance at first 4 (and just 1 or 2 days at the ashes, when travelling from aus, is prob not worth it)..

Any suggestions? (Me and two mates would be willing to do a tour package, but I doubt there's any that provide tickets only, or do it for less than $2k..)
Cheers!

 

[Kyptastic]

As someone who did a tour package for the last one, I'd recommend it. Was a lot of fun, especially on some of the duller days (day four at the Oval had more crowd highlights than out on the pitch).

 

[woofles]

I did a fanatics package last year and it isn't for everyone. Some of the jingoism was grating but I still had a ball with a fairly good bunch of guys

 

[ptrg]

I saw last years packages were around the 1.5k mark- so prepared myself for that..

They just announced that the packages this year START at $1995!? - for just one test match?! That's a 33.33% increase! Inflation will have gone up roughly 5.5% in the same timeframe..

Where did they put you up? Would have to be pretty fancy accomo..

Yer, also dunno if I could handle being stuck with all of them every day, me and my 2 mates would much rather be those lone wolfs (except 3 of us) that you see on the coverage wearing footy jumpers, tossing a Sherrington around etc..

I've heard its possible to become a grounds member, and then buy tickets that way- anyone gone down this, or any other successful non-2k paths before?

 

[Kyptastic]

I did a fanatics package last year and it isn't for everyone. Some of the jingoism was grating but I still had a ball with a fairly good bunch of guys

Which one?

 

[Kyptastic]

I saw last years packages were around the 1.5k mark- so prepared myself for that..

They just announced that the packages this year START at $1995!? - for just one test match?! That's a 33.33% increase! Inflation will have gone up roughly 5.5% in the same timeframe..

Where did they put you up? Would have to be pretty fancy accomo..

Yer, also dunno if I could handle being stuck with all of them every day, me and my 2 mates would much rather be those lone wolfs (except 3 of us) that you see on the coverage wearing footy jumpers, tossing a Sherrington around etc..

I've heard its possible to become a grounds member, and then buy tickets that way- anyone gone down this, or any other successful non-2k paths before?

Yeah, it seems a bit expensive for just a match package. The Running of the Bulls/First Test package which had 3 days in Barcelona, 1 in San Sebastian, 3 in Pamplona and 6 in Nottingham was only 2700 or so.

 

[woofles]

Which one?

Lords and Old Trafford mate, was the backpacking package

 

[Doodlesweaver]

I saw last years packages were around the 1.5k mark- so prepared myself for that..

They just announced that the packages this year START at $1995!? - for just one test match?! That's a 33.33% increase! Inflation will have gone up roughly 5.5% in the same timeframe..

Where did they put you up? Would have to be pretty fancy accomo..

Yer, also dunno if I could handle being stuck with all of them every day, me and my 2 mates would much rather be those lone wolfs (except 3 of us) that you see on the coverage wearing footy jumpers, tossing a Sherrington around etc..

I've heard its possible to become a grounds member, and then buy tickets that way- anyone gone down this, or any other successful non-2k paths before?

One of the guys at work is a member of Surrey - Oval - he still had to go into a ballot, but the London Ashes test matches are so over-subscribed it's crazy.

 

[ptrg]

Packages for the three lesser games (as in, not London) next year start at $1995- but since there's three of us, they also want an extra $660 for the third person (has to have a room of 2 and a room for 1).. Wayy too expensive! 6600 for one test match between the three of us? Get bent!

 

[woofles]

Packages for the three lesser games (as in, not London) next year start at $1995- but since there's three of us, they also want an extra $660 for the third person (has to have a room of 2 and a room for 1).. Wayy too expensive! 6600 for one test match between the three of us? Get bent!

Could always just do the two doubles and have someone paired with a random, was no drama with me, ended up with a good bloke.

 

[ptrg]

Could always just do the two doubles and have someone paired with a random, was no drama with me, ended up with a good bloke.

They don't offer that in the options though.. Cheapest payment is the 6660, not 6000..

 

[woofles]

They don't offer that in the options though.. Cheapest payment is the 6660, not 6000..

Ah okay, I solo travelled so maybe that's why the option was available when I booked.

 

[Torz]

Had the package booklet come in the mail. Waaaay too expensive for me to even consider it.

If I was to win lotto however...