Adelaide Oval food and drink prices jacked up again — beers now $9.40 a pint

THE cost of a day out at the cricket at Adelaide Oval this summer has been hit for six, with management jacking up the price of food and drink ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes Test.

THE cost of a day out at the cricket at Adelaide Oval this summer has been hit for six, with management jacking up the price of food and drink ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes Test.

The Stadium Management Authority yesterday announced a 2.7 per cent price increase across many food and drink items just in time for the day-night Ashes Test, which is expected to attract sellout crowds in early December.

The price of a pint of Hahn Superdry beer is $9.40, up from $9.20 last year and perilously close to the $10 mark, while a bottle of soft drink is $5.80. A bottle of water remains a constant but sobering $5 a pop.

Food has not been exempt from the price rise, with chips and pies, a staple of a sport viewing diet, increasing to $5.60 and $5.70 respectively.

The price rise is the latest in capital raising ventures at the Adelaide Oval, with two similar hikes in 2016.

In March 2016, a Hahn Superdry at Adelaide Oval cost $8.90, compared to $7.60 at the MCG and $7.80 at the SCG.

In November 2016, Superdry jumped to $9.20. Prices on some items — including West End Draught — were dropped after a public outcry over the rises.

Coby Mellor, 32, and David Heah, 26, enjoying a beer at the Cathedral Hotel, across the road from the Adelaide Oval. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

A round of four beers will cost $37.60, while a traditional Ashes lunch of a pie and chips will set you back $11.30.

Lunch and drinks for a family of four at the cricket would likely cost at least $50.

A Stadium Management Authority spokeswoman defended the price hikes.

“The rise that has come into effect purely covers the costs associated with the annual increases seen in supplied goods, wages and operational expenses,” she said.

“The SMA has absorbed as many costs as possible to keep the average increase across the range to 2.7 per cent. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages when coming to events at Adelaide Oval.”

Adelaide Oval is currently hosting a four-day day-night game between the Cricket Australia XI and England, ahead of the International Rules Series game between Australia and Ireland on Sunday. On December 2, the English will return for second Test of the Ashes series.

Patrons at the Cathedral Hotel — across the road from the Oval, where they charge $8 for a West End Draught and $9 for a Hahn Superdry — dis­approved of the price hikes.

“It seems to be a bit steep,” Coby Mellor, 32, of North Adelaide, said.

David Heah, 26, of Malvern, agreed.

“The Oval clearly recognises that it has a captive audience (and) particularly with the number of people going through the facility, it seems like it’s profiteering,” he said.