IPL rush bowls over Ahmedabad's hotels, eateries

Time of India

a day ago

Ahmedabad: The city's hospitality scene is hitting shots out of the boundaries, thanks to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 fever gripping the city. With two high-voltage matches — the Eliminator clash between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians on Sunday and the grand finale on June 3 — lined up at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, hotels and food & beverage businesses are enjoying a summer surge.
Traditionally, May and June are considered off-season months, when scorching heat keeps footfalls low and occupancy rates dip. But this year, the buzz around IPL has turned what is usually a lean period into a business bonanza.
"The excitement surrounding IPL 2025 leads to a noticeable surge in cricket enthusiasts travelling to Ahmedabad. Almost all hotels are seeing high occupancies. We have guests — from teams and fans to corporate delegations — coming from across the country this season," said Keenan McKenzie, cluster general manager, ITC Narmada.
Hotel occupancy across all segments, from luxury to budget, has climbed above 85%. IPL-driven traffic is not only checking in but also indulging in premium services and IPL-themed culinary experiences. Hoteliers report a strong demand for curated late-night menus, in-room dining, and special fan engagement events.
"After the usual lull in May, IPL has brought back a tremendous sense of momentum," said Puneet Baijal, general manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.
"Occupancy is seeing a sharp uptick, with a diverse range of guests, including solo travelers, large groups of fans, families, and corporate contingents, coming in from all over the country," he explained.
Restaurants and cafes, too, are cashing in on the cricketing carnival, rolling out live match screenings, themed menus, and match-hour deals — both in-house and through delivery platforms. Several outlets report a 40–50% surge in footfalls on match days, driven largely by the city's youth eager to soak in the stadium-like atmosphere.
The trend reflects the impact of sports tourism seen in the city to attract both local patrons and out-of-town visitors.
Vikas Sood, general manager, The Leela Gandhinagar and Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, explains, "Sports tourism is clearly emerging as a powerful driver for the hospitality sector in Ahmedabad, and events like these help hotels bounce back during the summer months. The trend is common in several developed economies.
During events like IPL, the benefit is not limited to the hospitality sector alone but extends to F&B, fitness and wellness, and transport businesses, which is seen in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
IPL 2025 is a precursor to several bigger sporting events taking place here."
For Ahmedabad, which has been steadily building its profile as a sporting destination, events like these are proving to be economic lifelines for local businesses during an otherwise dull period.