New Delhi, February 25 India's cricket season is contributing to domestic travel, with demand across match-hosting cities increasing significantly year-on-year, particularly outside major cities, according to online accommodation platform Airbnb.
Searches by Indian guests for several match-hosting cities, such as Ahmedabad, and other locations like Ranchi and Thiruvananthapuram, during the cricket season rose significantly compared to the same period last year, Airbnb said in a statement.
The platform noted that some of the strongest growth was seen in emerging cricket centres outside the metro area.
Ranchi saw nearly a 120 per cent increase in searches year-on-year, while Thiruvananthapuram recorded over 110 per cent growth in searches year-on-year. Jaipur and Lucknow also witnessed increases of over 70 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively.
Currently, India is co-hosting the ICC Men's T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka, with the final scheduled for March 8. This will be followed by India's domestic league, the IPL, for which the full schedule has not yet been announced.
Airbnb stated that high-profile matches are driving travel to tier-2 locations, broadening the geographic distribution of visitor demand beyond India's traditional gateway cities.
Commenting on the findings, Airbnb's Country Head for India and Southeast Asia, Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, said, "Cricket has long united the country. What we're seeing now is that same energy translating into travel, with fans building meaningful trips around the game."
He added that people are increasingly extending their stays, travelling with friends and family, and exploring destinations more deeply.
"On Airbnb, we're seeing this shift firsthand, as travellers choose homes that allow them to stay together, experience neighbourhoods more authentically, and turn match days into fuller, more memorable getaways."
Bajaj noted, "This is a powerful example of how culture shapes travel and creates meaningful impact for local communities."
Airbnb cited the example of searches for stays by Indians in the host city of Colombo during the India vs. Pakistan match weekend (February 14-17, 2026), which surged over 325 per cent, while nights booked also saw a notable increase year-on-year, underscoring cricket's power to drive cross-border travel during major matches.
Similarly, ahead of the cricket world cup final window (March 7-10, 2026), Ahmedabad recorded a nearly 170 per cent increase in searches, reinforcing its position as a marquee cricket destination during major tournament fixtures, the company said.
Airbnb further stated that its 'experience-Led travel insights' survey showed that nearly 60 per cent of India's Gen Z said they planned to travel to attend live cricket matches in 2026, and 70 per cent prefer to attend with friends or family.
While cricket might be drawing India's Gen Z to a destination, their trips typically extend beyond the match day. Rather than short, single-purpose visits, these trips are often built as longer stays, as more than half (53 per cent) extend trips beyond match days to explore local culture, cuisine and neighbourhoods.
The median trip length for a cricket match stands at 3-4 days, mirroring a growing appetite for immersive, experience-led travel, the company said.
