Summer cricket fever aside, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has led a silent movement–reshaping India’s travel and tourism landscape. Fans have been transforming match days into

immersive travel experiences, propelling cities hosting IPL matches into bustling tourism hubs.

Travel platforms such as EaseMyTrip and Cleartrip have reported an impressive 30-35% surge in bookings during match days, surpassing the 20-25% growth seen in the previous season. “We’re

seeing hotel and flight bookings in host cities spike by 30–35% on match days,” shares Rikant Pittie, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip. This uptick is a testament to the IPL’s burgeoning

Cleartrip, “Match-day bookings have risen by 1.6x. Domestic airfares to these cities have already seen a 10% increase over last year, while hotel bookings near stadiums are witnessing nearly

a 3x jump.” Hotels close to stadiums are running at full capacity, with average daily rates spiking by up to 7% on match days.

Ahmedabad has experienced a particularly sharp rise in travel demand, with bookings more than doubling on key match days. Cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Dharamshala have also seen a

surge, with train bookings to these destinations increasing by 60-65% year-on-year. “Fans are using cricket as a pivot to plan their evenings and weekends,” observes Reeva Sakaria, founder

of Yatri. Public transport services have stepped up to meet this demand, with special late-night trains ensuring smooth mobility for fans.

Beyond just attending matches, fans are weaving cricket into broader leisure plans. “This season, travel demand is seeing a unique shift, as cricket enthusiasts combine match attendance with

seasonal leisure trips,” explains Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, co-founder and CEO, Zostel. Around 35% of travellers are integrating IPL matches into extended getaways, exploring local culture

and cuisine while cheering for their favourite teams.

Budget accommodations, such as hostels and community stays, have also gained popularity among Gen Z and millennial travellers. “Hostel bookings have jumped significantly, particularly in

cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad,” says Pranav Dangi, CEO and founder of The Hosteller. This trend highlights a shift towards affordable, community-driven travel

experiences.

The hospitality industry has been a major beneficiary of this cricket-induced travel frenzy. “Hotels near stadiums have reported occupancy boosts of up to 5% and a sharp rise in last-minute

bookings,” shares Anil Lohia, COO of TripXL. Premium hotel rates now range between ₹6,000 and ₹8,200, while budget stays are priced in the ₹2,200-₹5,200 range, reflecting the soaring demand.

This surge extends to other travel modes as well. Intercity buses and flights are seeing a parallel rise in bookings, with travellers often making impulse travel decisions. Manish Rathi, CEO

and co-founder of IntrCity SmartBus, highlights a 20-25% increase in bookings over regular weekends, emphasizing the role of IPL in driving planned and group travel.

IPL 2025’s impact on travel underscores the convergence of sports and tourism in India. “IPL is not just about cricket anymore; it’s a tourism engine in motion,” affirms Pittie. With 80% of

cricket fans eager to travel to support their teams, the league has set a new benchmark for sports-driven mobility. Jyoti Mayal, chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council,

aptly sums it up: “This highlights the extent to which large sporting events like IPL can influence purposeful travel behaviours while generating positive economic activity.”

As the season progresses, travel platforms and local businesses anticipate a further surge in demand, particularly during the playoffs. The IPL has firmly established itself as not only a

cricketing phenomenon but also a cultural and travel catalyst, setting the stage for a thriving sports tourism ecosystem in India.