Private events in 3 cities for the ‘Cricket All-Stars’ series.
By Sujeet Rajan
NEW YORK: If you want to watch the ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar in New York City next week, Citi Field, the home of the Mets, is the place to be, on Nov. 7, when the 3-match ‘Cricket All-Stars’ series take off.
However, for a lucky few, and those ready to splurge more than what it takes to get into Citi Field, the place to meet with Tendulkar up close and wine, dine and dance with him too, is two days before the match: on Nov. 5, at Big Apple’s most exciting new landmark — One World Observatory at the new World Trade Center.
The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people to mingle with Tendulkar and the other renowned cricket players on the roster of the ‘Cricket All-Stars’ does come with a price tag some would consider hefty: the level of interaction with Tendulkar one can get ranges on how much one is willing to splurge, from $750-$3600.
The organizers of the ‘Cricket All-Stars’ will host two separate paid events preceding the match, in New York City, where one could mingle with Tendulkar, while Houston and Los Angeles, the venues of the other two matches in the series, will see one gala dinner each where the same opportunity would be present for sports enthusiasts, autograph hunters and those who generally like to brighten their homes with photographs of themselves with celebrities and noted personalities.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, the top notch ‘Platinum Experience’ which is only for 100 VIPs, and carries the price tag of $3600, promises a meet-and-greet session at a party, photo opportunities, gourmet dinner with open bar, live entertainment and dancing atop the tallest building in America, plus a Hyundai Club ticket to the match at Citi Field inclusive of food and beverages.
Another opportunity to meet Tendulkar, Warne and the other cricketers would be the next day, Friday, Nov. 6, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in the heart of Times Square, at a gala dinner. That has a price tag of $2200, and is limited to 150 VIPs.
There is a cricket clinic listed too for the morning of Friday, Nov. 6, in New York City, but details are not yet in for that event.
At the gala dinners in Houston and Los Angeles, the organizers have kept tickets ranging from $750-$2600.
The evenings in Houston (at the historic downtown JW Marriott on Nov. 10) and Los Angeles (at the popular new venue Vibiana on Nov. 13), will also feature an interactive panel discussion with the cricket legends.