The Bears, who attracted a big crowd for their first-ever floodlit game against Somerset last summer, have already sold almost 15,000 tickets for the visit of Lancashire.
They had a real rush on tickets during the Edgbaston Test last weekend.
In contrast Lancashire have been disappointed with the response to their special cash back offers for advance bookings for next Wednesday's first-ever day-night AXA League game at Old Trafford against Surrey.
They had only sold round 1,000 yesterday, but club officials blamed poor weather and the lack of cricket at Old Trafford, and are still hoping for a big walk-up crowd. Lancashire were back home at last today for the start of the Championship game against somerset and reached 52 for the loss of Mike Atherton for a 20-ball duck.
Lancashire's only previous home Championship game this season, against Middlesex in April, was almost completely ruined by rain, with only 79 overs possible in four days.