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Are Day 5 Test Match Tickets at The Oval Worth the Risk?
- Sports Travel Tom
- Jul 22
- 7 min read
A complete guide to attending a Day 5 Test Match at The Oval — the risk of buying a final-day ticket, and what to do if the cricket ends early.
Buying Day 5 Test Match tickets is unlike buying almost any other sporting event ticket.
When I booked my Day 5 Test Match ticket for England v New Zealand at The Oval, there was no guarantee there would be any cricket left to watch.
And I wasn't just travelling across London.
I was flying down from Edinburgh on the morning of the match. Flights and accommodation were already booked, but as the Test unfolded over the previous four days, I found myself constantly refreshing the score, hoping there would still be cricket left by the time I landed.
Every wicket suddenly felt expensive.
It was a rare occasion I even paid extra to add EasyJet's Flexi option to my booking, just in case the match finished early and there was no point making the journey south.
It felt slightly ridiculous.
But that's exactly why Day 5 fascinates me.
If the match lasts, you can experience Test cricket at one of England's most iconic grounds for a fraction of the price of the opening days.
If it doesn't...
Well, you've just taken one of sport's biggest gambles.
So, was it worth it?
At a Glance
Venue: The Kia Oval, London
Closest Underground Station: Oval (Northern Line, approximately 2-minute walk)
Alternative Stations: Vauxhall (10-minute walk), Kennington (15-minute walk)
Best for: Sports fans looking to experience Test cricket without paying premium ticket prices
Food & Drink: Excellent choice of bars, kiosks and food vendors throughout the ground
Time Needed: Anywhere from 15 minutes to a full day's cricket... that's the gamble.
Worth it? Yes... if you're prepared to accept the risk.
Watch my full Day 5 at The Oval Experience Here:
Why Day 5 Is So Different
Unlike football, rugby or tennis, a Day 5 Test Match ticket comes with absolutely no guarantees.
The match could already be over before you even leave home.
Or you could witness one of the most dramatic days in Test cricket.
That's exactly what makes Day 5 tickets so appealing.
They're usually sold at a fraction of the cost of the opening days, making them one of the best-value tickets in live sport... provided the match actually lasts that long.
In my case, the ticket cost just £25.
At that price, I decided the gamble was worth taking.
The only problem was England weren't in control of the match.
New Zealand were pushing for victory, and every wicket brought the possibility that the game would finish before my 6am flight had even taken off.
Thankfully, by the evening before I travelled, there was still cricket to be played so I boarded my flight knowing I'd at least see some action.
Exactly how much... was another question entirely.
Getting to The Oval
Landing at Stansted Airport should have been the easy part.
Instead, train delays immediately started eating into my already tiny buffer.
Play was due to begin at 11am, but it was after 9am before I was even leaving the airport.
Every delay had me wondering if I was about to arrive in London only to see the players shaking hands.
Thankfully, once I reached central London, getting to The Oval itself was incredibly straightforward.
I jumped on the Northern Line to Oval Underground Station, which is less than a couple of minutes' walk from the ground.
Stepping out of the Underground, the first thing I noticed was the sunshine. After spending the morning in airports, trains and deep Tube tunnels, it finally felt like a proper summer's day at the cricket.
If you're arriving by National Rail instead, Vauxhall Station is around a 10-minute walk away, while Kennington is another convenient Underground option.
Now I just had one final job before heading inside...
Where I Left My Luggage
Flying down for the day meant I still had my bag with me.
Rather than dragging it around London or worrying about whether I could take it into the ground, I booked luggage storage through Bounce, who had a drop-off location just a few minutes' walk from The Oval.
The process couldn't have been easier. I dropped my bag off in a local convenience store, and was walking back towards the ground within a couple of minutes.
If you're travelling to sporting events with luggage, I'd definitely recommend doing the same.
Use my code STTBOUNCE to get 10% off your first Bounce booking.
With that sorted...it was finally time to find out whether my gamble had paid off.
Entering The Oval
Entry into the ground was quick and straightforward.
I'd already downloaded my ticket onto my phone before travelling, so getting through the turnstiles took just a few seconds.
For international Test Matches, gates typically open around two hours before the scheduled first ball, giving supporters plenty of time to explore the ground before play begins.
Unfortunately, I didn't have that luxury.
After racing from Edinburgh to London and dropping off my suitcase, there wasn't time to wander around the concourse.
I headed straight for my seat within the Laker Balcony section, hoping there would still be plenty of cricket left to enjoy.
Before travelling, it's always worth checking The Oval's latest matchday guide for information on prohibited items, bag policies and gate opening times, as these can vary between fixtures.
As I walked up the steps towards my seat, I finally allowed myself to relax.
I'd made it.
There was still cricket being played.
For now, at least...
Inside The Oval
One thing that immediately struck me was just how different a day at the cricket feels compared to most live sporting events.
Everything moves at its own pace.
People chat away between deliveries, wander off for food and drinks during an over, and soak up the atmosphere as much as the action in the middle.
It feels less like sitting through a fixed event and more like spending a summer's day outdoors with thousands of other cricket fans.
My seat on the Laker Balcony was excellent.
Behind the seating area is a covered outdoor concourse complete with its own bar, while the seats themselves provide a fantastic panoramic view across the ground.
From there, I could see the historic Pavilion to my left, the scoreboard to my right and, beyond the stadium, the growing London skyline rising above Nine Elms and Battersea.
The Oval itself is easy to navigate, with clear signage throughout the concourse, plenty of food and drink outlets and a well-stocked club shop selling Surrey CCC and England merchandise.
Even though I knew my visit might be short, simply spending time inside one of the world's most famous cricket grounds made the journey worthwhile.
Little did I know... it was about to become even shorter than I expected.
Was the Gamble Worth It?
Not long after sitting down, New Zealand took the final wicket.
The match was over.
I couldn't help but laugh.
I'd travelled the length of the country to watch around 15 minutes of Test cricket.
But strangely... I didn't feel disappointed. In fact, I'd probably do exactly the same thing again.
One of the great things about buying a Day 5 ticket is the refund policy if play is cut short.
Because less than a full day's cricket was possible, spectators automatically received a partial refund. My £25 ticket was reduced to £12.50, with the remaining £12.50 automatically refunded to the card I'd used to book.
The amount refunded depends on how much play takes place, but it's a nice piece of reassurance when you're taking the Day 5 gamble.
Another pleasant surprise was that the food and drink outlets remained open for a couple of hours after the match had finished, allowing supporters to stay, enjoy the sunshine and soak up the atmosphere around the ground.
Although, I have to admit...
At £9 a pint, my beers ended up costing almost twice as much as the cricket itself.
Looking back, the cricket almost became secondary.
For £12.50, I'd experienced one of the world's most iconic cricket grounds, watched the closing moments of an international Test Match, stayed to watch the post-match presentations and interviews, and enjoyed a brilliant summer afternoon in London.
Would I have loved another few hours of cricket?
Of course.
But that's the gamble with Day 5. Sometimes you'll get a full day's play. Sometimes you'll only get fifteen minutes.
The important thing is understanding that before you buy your ticket.
If you're travelling a long distance like I was, I'd recommend making sure the cricket isn't the only reason for your trip. Build a weekend around London, explore the city, visit another attraction or catch another sporting event if you can.
That way, if the match finishes early, you haven't travelled hundreds of miles for just a handful of overs.
Is a Day 5 Ticket Right for You?
I'd absolutely recommend a Day 5 Test Match ticket... if you're happy to embrace the uncertainty.
It's a fantastic option if you:
Want to experience Test cricket without paying premium ticket prices.
Enjoy the unpredictability that makes five-day cricket so unique.
Are happy to take a calculated gamble in return for excellent value.
It may not be the right choice if:
You're desperate for a guaranteed full day's cricket.
You're travelling a long distance solely for the match.
You'd be disappointed if play only lasted an hour or two.
For me, the lower ticket price more than justified the risk. But everyone's appetite for that gamble will be different.
Final Thoughts
Buying a Day 5 Test Match ticket isn't just about watching cricket.
It's about embracing the uncertainty that makes Test cricket unlike any other sport.
Flying down from Edinburgh with no guarantee there'd still be a match to watch probably sounds a little crazy.
Maybe it was.
But it's also what made the experience memorable.
Yes, I only watched around fifteen minutes of cricket. Yes, my beers cost more than my ticket.
And yes, I'd do it all again.
Because for me, a Day 5 ticket isn't simply about how many overs you see.
It's about the anticipation, the journey, the atmosphere and the chance to experience one of cricket's great venues at a fraction of the usual price.
If you go into it understanding the risk, it could end up being one of the best-value tickets in British sport.
I'll continue sharing sports travel guides, ticket tips and experiences from stadiums, arenas and sporting destinations around the world here on Sports Travel Tom.
You can also follow the journey on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok @sportstraveltom, where I share regular ticket updates, travel guides and sporting adventures to help you travel better for sport and adventure.
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