India’s upcoming cricket season is driving a measurable surge in domestic travel, with new Airbnb data showing significant year-on-year growth in searches and bookings across demand across match-hosting cities, particularly beyond metro hubs.
Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for India and Southeast Asia, said, “Cricket has long united the country in spirit. What we’re seeing now is that same energy translating into travel, with fans building meaningful trips around the game. Increasingly, these moments go beyond the stadium, people are 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. It’s a powerful example of how culture shapes travel and creates meaningful impact for local communities.”
Demand shifts beyond metros
As marquee tournaments unfold between February and May, travel demand is dispersing into emerging cricket centres such as Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur and Lucknow, signalling how major sporting moments are reshaping India’s tourism map.
According to Airbnb internal data, searches by Indian guests for several match-hosting cities during the cricket season rose significantly compared to the same period last year, with some of the strongest growth recorded in emerging cricket centres beyond the metro circuit.
● Ranchi saw nearly a 120% increase in searches year-on-year.
● Thiruvananthapuram recorded over 110% growth in searches year-on-year.
● Jaipur and Lucknow witnessed increases of over 70% and 60% in searches year-on-year respectively.
The data suggests that high-profile fixtures are accelerating travel into tier-2 locations, broadening the geographic distribution of visitor demand beyond India’s traditional gateway cities.
Key match-day spikes were even more pronounced
Searches for stays by Indians in the host city Colombo during the India vs Pakistan match weekend (14-17 February 2026) surged over 325%, while nights booked recorded a notable increase year-on-year, underscoring cricket’s power to drive cross-border travel during marquee encounters.
Similarly, ahead of the cricket world cup final window (7–10 March 2026), Ahmedabad recorded a nearly 170% increase in searches , reinforcing its position as a marquee cricket destination during major tournament fixtures.