New Delhi, February 25
India’s ongoing cricket season is driving a sharp rise in domestic travel, with accommodation demand climbing significantly across match hosting cities, particularly beyond major metropolitan hubs, according to online accommodation platform Airbnb.
Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram Lead Year on Year Search Growth
Airbnb said searches by Indian guests for several match hosting cities, including Ahmedabad, Ranchi and Thiruvananthapuram, have risen notably compared to the same period last year.Emerging cricket centres recorded some of the strongest growth. Ranchi witnessed nearly a 120 per cent increase in searches year on year, while Thiruvananthapuram saw growth of over 110 per cent. Jaipur and Lucknow also registered significant gains, with searches rising more than 70 per cent and 60 per cent respectively.
The platform noted that high profile matches are expanding visitor demand beyond India’s traditional gateway cities, reflecting a broader geographic spread of travel during the cricket season.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and IPL Fuel Travel Momentum
India is currently co hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka, with the final scheduled for March 8. This will be followed by the Indian Premier League, for which the full schedule is yet to be announced.Airbnb highlighted that major tournament fixtures are translating into measurable travel spikes. Searches for stays in Colombo during the India versus Pakistan match weekend from February 14 to 17, 2026 surged over 325 per cent, while nights booked also increased year on year.
Similarly, ahead of the World Cup final window from March 7 to 10, 2026, Ahmedabad recorded nearly a 170 per cent jump in searches, reinforcing its position as a marquee cricket destination during major matches.
Gen Z Drives Experience Led Cricket Travel
Airbnb’s experience led travel insights survey found that nearly 60 per cent of India’s Gen Z plan to travel to attend live cricket matches in 2026. Around 70 per cent said they prefer attending matches with friends or family.Travel patterns indicate that cricket trips are increasingly extending beyond match day. More than half of respondents, or 53 per cent, said they extend their stays to explore local culture, cuisine and neighbourhoods.
The median trip length for a cricket match stands at three to four days, pointing to a growing preference for immersive and experience focused travel.
Culture and Community Impact
Commenting on the trend, Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head for India and Southeast Asia at Airbnb, said that cricket continues to unite the country and is now translating into travel, with fans planning meaningful trips around matches.He added that travellers are opting for homes that allow groups to stay together, explore neighbourhoods more authentically and turn match days into fuller getaways.
According to Airbnb, this trend highlights how cultural events such as cricket tournaments are shaping travel behaviour and creating meaningful impact for local communities across emerging cities.
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