Mumbai: For thousands of Indian cricket fans, watching India take on Pakistan in the T20 World Cup this Sunday isn’t just about sport — it’s about emotion, pride and being part of history. And this time, that experience has come with a hefty price tag.
With the blockbuster clash set to unfold at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, airfares, hotel tariffs and match tickets have surged dramatically. Yet, despite the financial strain and logistical hurdles, fans are still making the trip.
For many, this is simply a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Flights Touch $1,000 as Demand Surges
The surge began soon after Pakistan’s participation in the fixture was confirmed. For a brief period, geopolitical tensions had cast uncertainty over the match. But once Islamabad reversed its boycott order, travel demand spiked almost instantly.
A nonstop return ticket from Mumbai to Colombo, which usually costs around $275, shot past $1,000 just days before the game. Flights from Bengaluru and Chennai followed the same pattern, with fares rising two to three times the normal rate.
Aditya Chheda, a finance professional from Mumbai, said he paid nearly 50% more than standard fares despite booking a month in advance.
“I even chose a layover instead of a direct flight to save money, but the prices were still much higher than usual,” he said.
For others who booked closer to match day, the spike was sharper — sometimes three times the regular cost.
Hotels in Colombo See Massive Price Jump
Accommodation in Colombo hasn’t been any easier on the wallet.
Five-star hotel rooms in the city were priced between $400 and $1,000 per night for the weekend, especially between Saturday and Monday when most fans are flying in and out.
Travel agents in Mumbai and Bengaluru confirmed that hotel inventory began shrinking rapidly after Pakistan’s confirmation, pushing up prices further.
Still, fans aren’t complaining much.
Parth Chauhan, who works in cybersecurity, said he waited four hours in a virtual queue to secure match tickets.
“It’s worth it. Watching India play abroad for the first time, especially against Pakistan, feels historic,” he said.
A $5 Ticket and a Priceless Experience
In the middle of soaring travel costs, a few fans managed to grab surprisingly affordable match tickets.
Piyush Nathani, an IT professional from Bengaluru, paid just $5 for his seat.
“That’s the cheapest World Cup ticket I’ve ever bought. For India vs Pakistan, it’s unbelievable,” he said, adding that he’s travelling with six friends.
While broadcast deals and sponsorship revenues around India-Pakistan games run into millions, entry-level ticket prices have remained accessible for some fans.
More Than Just a Match
India-Pakistan cricket matches have always carried emotional weight, shaped by decades of political tension between the two nations. Every contest feels bigger than a group-stage fixture.
For Nathani, who previously watched India defeat Pakistan in Ahmedabad during the 2023 ODI World Cup, the excitement is different this time.
“A neutral venue means fans from both sides. That energy is something else,” he said.
Chheda, who travelled to Barbados to watch India lift the 2024 T20 World Cup, echoed that sentiment.
“Winning the World Cup is huge, but beating Pakistan feels like a moral victory. It’s more than cricket,” he said.
And that’s exactly why fans are willing to stretch their budgets, stand in long queues and plan last-minute trips.
Because when India faces Pakistan on a World Cup stage, it’s not just a game on the calendar. It’s an event people talk about for years.
