MUMBAI: Paytm along with event ticketing platform Insider.in would be the exclusive ticketing partners for the home games of Kings XI Punjab, in the upcoming 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Insider.In will be handling the logistics and operations for the game – managing box office, stadium entry, seating and physical ticket delivery.  

The tournament starts on 7th of April, through 27th of May, with the opening game between current title holders Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, who are making their IPL return. The tickets will go live on Paytm and Insider.In (website and app) on 22nd of March.

The team’s games will be divided between Holkar Stadium Cricket Stadium, Indore (first 3 matches) and I.S. Bindra Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali (latter 4 matches). Its opening game of the tournament comes against DD at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium (08 April), and its first home game will be at Indore on 15th of April, against Chennai Super Kings.

Fans can expect several new features and services to enhance their cricket-watching experience. In an industry first, Paytm & Insider.In will be providing refunds for cancelled tickets for a cricket match, via a feature called Cancellation Protect. For a small fee, ticket buyers have the ability to cancel their tickets up to 10 days before the match starts, getting a refund on the full price of the tickets. This, the companies believe, will be a major step towards helping fans plan their cricket-watching experience, encouraging them to book tickets, safe in the knowledge that their money will be refunded in the event of an exigency.

Attendees will also be able to pre-buy a special IPL-Paytm F&B payments card online and use it towards food & beverage purchase at the stadium. The IPL-Paytm F&B card can be easily topped up when at the match using the Paytm app. What’s more, die-hard fans of the teams will now also be able to purchase official merchandise on the Paytm Mall and Insider.In app and website. All of this is available right at the time of ticket purchase, offering a seamless buying experience to cricket fans waiting to support their favourite teams. While the benefit to the consumer is clear, the streamlined process which makes the sale of merchandise and F&B easier, will also help teams grow these revenue streams.

Insider.in and Paytm will be selling tickets offline as well in a network of outlets in and around Mohali. Those who choose to buy tickets from here will receive physical tickets at the locations.

Paytm and Insider.In have aggressively moved into the sports ticketing space over the last year. In December 2017, they were responsible for ticketing and operations for 4 cricket matches across all three formats: India vs New Zealand T20 (Paytm T20 Trophy, November 1, Delhi), India vs Sri Lanka Test (Paytm Test Series, December 2-6, Delhi),  India vs Sri Lanka ODI (Paytm ODI Trophy, December 10, Dharamshala) and India vs Sri Lanka T20 (Paytm T20 Trophy, December 22, Indore). In addition to cricket, the companies have also been the official ticketing partners for ISL teams FC Goa & Delhi Dynamos; Pro Kabaddi League teams U Mumba, Dabanng Delhi, & Jaipur Pink Panthers for the 2017-2018 season.

“Over the past few years, Insider.In has become well-known for ticketing top music events such as Bacardi NH7 Weekender, A.R. Rahman’s live shows, Arijit Singh live, and comedy tours of artists such as Russell Peters, AIB, Biswa Kalyan Rath, Zakir Khan and several others. This has been the first year of Insider.in ticketing sports events in the country.”, says Shreyas Srinivasan, founder and CEO, Insider.In. “As with Music and Comedy, we aim to deliver for our partners value add beyond traditional ticketing. We are here to provide tools which improve efficiency and help organisers drive more value to sponsors and fans.”

Paytm, Chief Financial Officer and SVP, Madhur Deora said “We are very proud to associate with Kings XI Punjab and be a part of their journey as the official ticketing partner in this season of VIVO IPL. Paytm Entertainment is working towards building a seamless experience for cricket fans and partners alike. With innovative features for booking tickets online and offline, payments and fan club management, our goal is to bring the best to the industry. Not only ticketing, our association also focuses on Food & Beverage cards and official merchandise for fans to have an incredible experience at the stadium.”