Reigning champions Notts Outlaws are bidding to set a record aggregate attendance for their home games in this summer’s Vitality Blast.
Tickets went on general sale this morning at 10am and the team hope to capitalise on a first ever Finals Day win last year when hosting 2018’s seven group games at Trent Bridge.
Crowds have risen steadily at Outlaws games since the introduction of T20 cricket to the domestic county schedule in 2003.
A record average attendance of 11,429 came through the gates in 2016, while a best aggregate was achieved last year with 80,866 people attending, including a record crowd for a single game of 14,123 for the clash with local rivals Derbyshire Falcons.
“Attendances at Trent Bridge have been on the rise for several years now and the support that we enjoy makes us extremely proud.”
The Club retained their position as having the Best Domestic Experience In Cricket for the ninth consecutive year in 2017, following an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) survey of attendees at Blast matches up and down the country.
And they are planning to extend their off-the field entertainment in a bid to help keep Outlaws followers of all ages happy.
“Attendances at Trent Bridge have been on the rise for several years now and the support that we enjoy makes us extremely proud,” said the Club’s Commercial Director, Michael Temple.
“Our players feed off that and watching Riki Wessels hit our first T20 hundred against Derbyshire last year, in front of a full-house, was a particular highlight.
“We want families to know that we take particular pride in providing a welcoming environment that is great for kids.
“The entire match day is geared around entertainment and first-time visitors tend to be overwhelmed when they find out that we let families walk on the outfield after matches and that our players will stand outside the Pavilion until they’ve signed every autograph.
“It’s affordable, accessible family-fun and we hope that our match day experience will continue to rank as the best in the competition.”
Last year, the Outlaws welcomed more new families than ever before, with young people enjoying family-focused entertainment featuring activities such as the Outlaws Cricket Zone, face painting, balloon modelling and appearances from popular mascot, Nuts the Squirrel.
“It’s affordable, accessible family-fun and we hope that our match day experience will continue to rank as the best in the competition.”
On the field, the Outlaws have assembled another strong squad for their title defence, with overseas players Christian and Ish Sodhi returning, and Chris Nash and Paul Coughlin having also signed.
Notts start their campaign with a repeat of last year’s final against Birmingham Bears on Wednesday 4 July.
Games then follow against Durham Jets (Tuesday 17 July), Leicestershire Foxes (Friday 20 July), Lancashire Lightning (Friday 27 July), Derbyshire Falcons (Thursday 2 August), Worcestershire Rapids (Saturday 4 August) and Yorkshire Vikings (Friday 10 August).
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To book seats for any of this year’s exciting Blast group games, click here.