Every summer, India’s passion for cricket ignites stadiums and screens across the country. In recent years, The Indian Premier League (IPL) has evolved into more than just a cricketing tournament—it is now a major catalyst for domestic travel and youth tourism across the country.
As matches are hosted in cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Dharamshala, Vizag, and Guwahati, there has been a noticeable shift in travel patterns, particularly among younger demographics.
Cricket fans are increasingly travelling across states to witness live matches, and in the process, are engaging with the local culture, cuisine, and experiences that each destination offers. This trend is contributing significantly to the growth of sports tourism in India. The IPL’s multi-city format is uniquely positioned to encourage domestic movement. This year, early reports from travel and hospitality platforms show that hotel bookings in IPL-hosting cities have increased, while flight bookings have risen on match weekends. Demand peaks in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad- especially when high-stakes matches are scheduled.
For many fans, especially younger ones, watching a live match is no longer a stand-alone activity- it’s the central anchor around which a travel experience is built. The trend of multi-city travel, where fans follow their teams across venues, is gaining popularity. This behaviour not only boosts airline and railway bookings but also benefits ancillary sectors like local transport, tourism services, and short-term rentals.
The IPL's schedule aligns with a period when students are on summer break and working professionals often take time off. This opens the door for a large segment of Gen Z and millennials to travel more frequently—and spontaneously. A 2025 global travel report by American Express found that 67% of Gen Z and millennial travellers were actively interested in travelling for live sporting events, placing cricket-led travel experiences high on their radar.
In line with this, budget stays, hostels, and community-driven accommodations have reported a sharp increase in occupancy. In some stadium-adjacent areas, hostel bookings have jumped during the tournament season. This generation prioritizes affordability and community over luxury, leading to a spike in bookings at properties offering shared experiences like match-day screenings, walking tours, and city-based fan activities.
The cultural appeal of destinations like Dharamshala or Vizag, paired with the draw of a live match, allows youth travelers to explore both sport and experience-based tourism in a single trip- marking a shift in how travel decisions are being made.
The surge in movement isn’t going unnoticed by the hospitality industry. Hotels, resorts, and travel aggregators are introducing IPL-themed stay packages, curated match-day itineraries, and fan-zone experiences tailored specifically for cricket travellers. These offerings include everything from match transport, stadium-view rooms, local sightseeing, or merchandise add-ons.
According to data cited by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), cities hosting IPL matches have observed a rise in food and beverage revenue during the tournament period. Local restaurants, bars, and cafés are capitalizing on the footfall with themed menus, watch parties, and extended hours.
This synergy between the hospitality sector and the IPL has created a micro-economy of its own, offering cities the opportunity to generate short-term tourism revenue while also establishing themselves as viable future leisure destinations.
In 2019, the IPL reportedly attracted nearly 400,000 domestic and international tourists, generating $68 million (approx. ₹560 crores) in direct hospitality sector revenues. While that figure dipped during the pandemic, IPL 2025 marks a strong resurgence of this trend, supported by digital booking, content-led travel inspiration, and increased air connectivity.
As sports tourism cements its place in India’s growing domestic travel landscape, IPL continues to lead the charge. Its influence goes well beyond the game- impacting hospitality, transport, retail, and tourism sectors. With traveller expectations evolving, cities and businesses that offer authentic, accessible, and creative experiences are the ones poised to benefit most.
(By Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, Co-Founder & CEO, Zo World and Zostel)
As matches are hosted in cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Dharamshala, Vizag, and Guwahati, there has been a noticeable shift in travel patterns, particularly among younger demographics.
Cricket fans are increasingly travelling across states to witness live matches, and in the process, are engaging with the local culture, cuisine, and experiences that each destination offers. This trend is contributing significantly to the growth of sports tourism in India. The IPL’s multi-city format is uniquely positioned to encourage domestic movement. This year, early reports from travel and hospitality platforms show that hotel bookings in IPL-hosting cities have increased, while flight bookings have risen on match weekends. Demand peaks in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad- especially when high-stakes matches are scheduled.
For many fans, especially younger ones, watching a live match is no longer a stand-alone activity- it’s the central anchor around which a travel experience is built. The trend of multi-city travel, where fans follow their teams across venues, is gaining popularity. This behaviour not only boosts airline and railway bookings but also benefits ancillary sectors like local transport, tourism services, and short-term rentals.
In line with this, budget stays, hostels, and community-driven accommodations have reported a sharp increase in occupancy. In some stadium-adjacent areas, hostel bookings have jumped during the tournament season. This generation prioritizes affordability and community over luxury, leading to a spike in bookings at properties offering shared experiences like match-day screenings, walking tours, and city-based fan activities.
The cultural appeal of destinations like Dharamshala or Vizag, paired with the draw of a live match, allows youth travelers to explore both sport and experience-based tourism in a single trip- marking a shift in how travel decisions are being made.
The surge in movement isn’t going unnoticed by the hospitality industry. Hotels, resorts, and travel aggregators are introducing IPL-themed stay packages, curated match-day itineraries, and fan-zone experiences tailored specifically for cricket travellers. These offerings include everything from match transport, stadium-view rooms, local sightseeing, or merchandise add-ons.
According to data cited by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), cities hosting IPL matches have observed a rise in food and beverage revenue during the tournament period. Local restaurants, bars, and cafés are capitalizing on the footfall with themed menus, watch parties, and extended hours.
This synergy between the hospitality sector and the IPL has created a micro-economy of its own, offering cities the opportunity to generate short-term tourism revenue while also establishing themselves as viable future leisure destinations.
In 2019, the IPL reportedly attracted nearly 400,000 domestic and international tourists, generating $68 million (approx. ₹560 crores) in direct hospitality sector revenues. While that figure dipped during the pandemic, IPL 2025 marks a strong resurgence of this trend, supported by digital booking, content-led travel inspiration, and increased air connectivity.
As sports tourism cements its place in India’s growing domestic travel landscape, IPL continues to lead the charge. Its influence goes well beyond the game- impacting hospitality, transport, retail, and tourism sectors. With traveller expectations evolving, cities and businesses that offer authentic, accessible, and creative experiences are the ones poised to benefit most.
(By Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, Co-Founder & CEO, Zo World and Zostel)
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