Fans rush for CBA Finals tickets

Family members show their CBA Finals tickets after an overnight queue-up in front of a ticket office in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province March 8, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]

SHENYANG, Liaoning Province-- Hundreds of fans are in long lines in front of the ticket booths, courting for a seat in the CBA Finals between Liaoning and Sichuan, which will kick off on Friday.

But most of the fans have to leave empty handed for ticket demanding is out of seat capacity. In the home court of Liaoning, which reached the CBA Finals for two consecutive seasons, it can provide just about 5,000 seats, far from the capacity of NBA franchise. For example, the Times Square Garden, home court of New York Knicks, can receive nearly 20,000 spectators.

Liaoning announced a price hike last week. The price of VIP ticket rises from semifinal's 1,380 yuan (212 dollars) to 2400 yuan (369 dollars). Ticket of first class is 1,800 (277 dollars), an 80 percent increase from semifinal's 1,080 yuan (166 dollars).

Adults need spend at least 600 yuan (92 dollars) to watch a finals game in Liaoning's home court.

"I think the ticket is too expensive, but I really want to witness my home team winning the first ever CBA title," Zhang Rui, a 44-year-old worker, said.

Price increase can't stop fans from rushing for tickets in Liaoning. The enthusiasm for Sichuan's fans is even stronger for the ticket price remain the same with semifinal.

Sichuan, one of the rookies in CBA league, reached the finals for the first time by upsetting Xinjiang 3-0.

In order to secure a ticket, some fans brought stools with them, playing poker to make their waiting time easier until the ticket office opens. "I was in line for 17 hours and got the first ticket of Sichuan's home game. I just want to tell CBA, Sichuan's fans will always give solid support to our team," Deng An, a college student, said.