The demand for test match cricket

Abstract

Within an allocation of time framework, a demand function for test match cricket in Britain is estimated using 248 observations of daily attendances drawn from 52 matches over the period 1984 to 1992. We find that the time intensity of international cricket does have a mild deterrence effect on attendance as earnings rise. Consistent with other studies in the economics of sport, there is evidence that uncertainty of outcome augments demand. However, it is cricket, demographic and day specific, rather than economic, variables which account for most of the demand variation. The introduction in 1991 of test match cricket on Sundays added over 4000 spectators to total attendances.