The late confirmation of Cup Match has left the St George’s Cricket Club facing a financial shortfall with few sponsors and no television coverage for the event.

The executive committee of the club yesterday thanked lead sponsor HSBC Bermuda and the Bermuda Government for their support of the event, but said they had seen a “marked lack of support” in plot bookings and corporate sponsorship this year.

The committee also said this year’s classic might not be broadcast on local television, unlike past years.

“This is not a situation that the St George's Cricket Club has any control over, and we invite any group with the capacity to broadcast the event to get in contact with us very soon,” the statement said.

The committee said in a statement: “Many of our usual sponsors responded to the Somerset Cricket Club's original announcement that they would not be accepting our annual challenge by reallocating their funds to other interests in the belief that there would be no Cup Match for a second consecutive year.

“This has been the case with several important sponsors, including our team sponsor and our communications sponsor, and has created a financial shortfall.

“This is an appeal to our corporate community and our community at large to get involved and help us get our country on the path towards community recovery by partnering with us to stage a high-quality, festive midsummer event.”

“We are now two weeks away from the return of the crown jewel of any Bermudian summer, and we need to rally community support and participation for this occasion to be both what we as a community can enjoy and deserve.”

The committee said efforts to stage this year’s Cup Match represented a determined effort to bring Bermuda back to normalcy.

“This event is woven into the social fabric of our country,” the statement added.

“The friendly banter, and build up to the competition seems to put an extra pep in the step of our fellow Bermudians.

“At a time when there is extra concern around declining emotional health, the buzz of Cup Match would be an uplifting reprieve as we navigate beyond the pandemic.”

The committee said corporate viewing plots are still available, and there is still the opportunity to sponsor teams, with interested parties urged to contact the club at sgcc.cupmatch@gmail.com for information on pricing, location, space and availability.

“We would also like anyone interested in securing a viewing plot for their family, friends and 'bubble' to contact us as soon as practicable, as we have several 24x24 foot plots still available.

“We have been graciously allowed to accommodate up to 4,000 patrons on each day of Cup Match, and we hope to fill the Wellington Oval with a lively, festive crowd worthy of this magnificent, uniquely Bermudian spectacle.”

The committee reminded the public that Cup Match will be a SafeKey event, but members of the public can also be admitted if they purchase a ticket online and can produce a recent negative Covid-19 test and a Government-issued picture ID.

The statement said: “This will be a requirement for visitors to our island who want to enter this event as well.”

Tickets can be bought online at www.gpass.bm, and there will be no entry at the gate without pre-purchased tickets.

Vashun Blanchette, president of the Somerset Cricket Club, tonight declined to comment on the statement by their Cup Match rivals.

Somerset were scheduled to host last summer’s Cup Match in the West End, but the event was cancelled for the first time in its 119-year history because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two-day classic seemed destined not to be held for the second straight year after the champions had initially declined St George’s Cricket Club’s formal challenge.

But Somerset reversed their decision on June 22 after having a series of meetings with their members to address a number of concerns.