More Indian fans want to witness matches at Wankhede than Eden Gardens

While nearly half 47 per cent of Indians are ready to swap their sofas for seats at the stadium ndash both within the country and abroad about 55 per cent of Indians have Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai at the top of their wishlist to experience a match and its atmosphere followed by Eden Gardens in KolkataThe passion for the sport is higher than ever before amid the Indian Premier League 2025 according to a new report Unsurprisingly an overwhelming 98 per cent of respondents also admitted to their love for the gameThe new findings were part of the lsquoPitch Perfect Journeysrsquo report released by Skyscanner revealing how the love of cricket is shaping the travel choices of IndiansFor Indian travellers match day is just the beginning as 50 per cent of Indian cricket fans are choosing to extend their cricket trips by 3ndash4 days turning it into a fullfledged getawayFrom savouring local flavours to checking off tourist landmarks and iconic sites fans are making the most of their trip by exploring the host city In fact the Indian Premier League IPL has become a major driver with 80 per cent of cricket fans excited to travel and support their favourite teams turning it into one of the most anticipated travel moments of the year Cricket fans are drawn to live experiences with 67 per cent of Indians having already soaked in the excitement of being in the stadium and 94 per cent eager to relive that thrilling atmosphere in the near futureAs cricket emerges as a major travel motivator travellers are pairing their passion for the game with smart practical planning For 55 per cent of fans location and the stadium atmosphere are the top considerations followed by the participating teams 51 per cent Additionally factors like the possibility of combining the match with a holiday 42 per cent also holds weight while practical considerations such as easy access to the stadium 38 per cent accommodation costs 37 per cent relaxed visa policies 34 per cent and flight costs 29 per cent play a significant role in planning their cricketcentric trips tooSharing his views on the survey Mohit Joshi who is the travel app companys travel and destinations expert shares ldquoIndians have always had a deep love for travel and now they are bringing that same energy to their passion for cricket With nearly half 48 per cent planning their trips to watch a live match up to two months in advance it is clear that cricketfuelled travel is on the rise with fans mapping out every detail right down to who they want to share the experience with Friends top the list as the preferred matchday companions for 74 per cent of Indians followed by family 59 per cent and spouses or partners 46 per cent proving that cricket is not just a game itrsquos a shared experience This rising interest in travelling for cricket is a perfect example of Sport Mode mdash one of the key travel trends we identified in our Travel Trends 2025 report mdash where travellers combine their love for sports with their desire to explore new placesHere are some trends highlighted through the reportAustralia and Mumbai top the charts among the list of destinations The excitement is not limited to the matchday experience Indians are also eyeing destinations they want to check off their bucket list When it comes to witnessing international tournaments Australia takes the top spot with over half 56 per cent of Indians keen to visit the Land Down Under followed by England 46 per cent New Zealand 40 per cent and the UAE 31 per centOn the home turf Mumbai leads the scoreboard drawing in 1 in 5 20 per cent Indians for its electrifying stadium vibes and the chance to soak in the cityrsquos culture with Bangalore 18 per cent Chennai 13 per cent and Delhi 12 per cent following closely behindChennai Super Kings fans hit it out of the park The cricket fever is on a new high with the ongoing Indian Premier League sparking fierce team loyalty and travel plans among Indians Chennai Super Kings fans are leading the charge with nearly 3 in 10 29 per cent Indians willing to travel to another city to cheer them on followed by fans of Royal Challengers Bengaluru 19 per cent and Mumbai Indians 18 per centWankhede Stadium is the holy grail for cricket fans Iconic stadiums are also a major draw for cricket enthusiasts who want to catch the live action in a stadium for its cricketing history Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai tops the wishlist with 55 per cent of Indians eager to experience the legendary atmosphere while Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Lordrsquos in England also draw in 52 per cent of IndiansCricket trips is equal to fun for Indians Turning cricket trips into fullfledged travel experiences Indians know how to make every trip count Topping the list is shopping 57 per cent trying the local cuisine 44 per cent exploring tourist hotspots 42 per cent and even sneaking in a quick getaway outside the city 39 per centWhen it comes to food Mumbairsquos iconic vada pav reigns supreme as it does on the streets of Mumbai with 41 per cent of Indians more interested in trying the staple food of the Maximum City Chennairsquos dosa and chutney 30 per cent Delhirsquos momo 27 per cent and Bengalurursquos filter coffee and idlis 26 per cent are also fan favourites with travellers keen on trying these local snacks when in the cityWith so many fans eager to experience the thrilling atmosphere of a live match itrsquos not just about being there its about making the most of every momentTaran Singh a popular sports influencer and cricket enthusiast known for his muchawaited matchday content and expert insights shares more on how to elevate your stadium experience and travel smart this IPL season He says ldquoCricket in India isnrsquot just a game anymore itrsquos become a fullblown travel experience Whether itrsquos following your favourite team from city to city during the IPL or planning a match weekend with friends and family fans today are building their itineraries around cricket calendars I have personally done this and the energy at the stadium is unmatched For someone like me who is often hopping between cities to catch the action planning smart is keyrdquoTaran Singh also shared his top tips to help cricket fans make the most of their match day experience1 Pick the right seats Go for uppertier seats behind the bowlerrsquos arm for a better view and a bit more ventilation It makes a difference especially during those long innings2 Arrive early Stadium gates usually open 2ndash3 hours before the match Get in early to skip long queues settle in3 Protect your ticket like gold Your physical ticket is your only entry pass If the barcode is torn faded or tampered with you will be turned awaymdashno matter what Handle with care4 Cut the clutter Most stadiums donrsquot allow backpacks or large handbags If you must carry something keep it to a small sling bag or use your pockets for essentials5 Dress for comfort not just style Light cotton clothes work best in the heat Donrsquot forget your cap sunscreen and sunglasses And wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot6 Stick to the stadium rules Security checks are tight Power banks food metal objects water bottles helmets are not allowed in Check the prohibited list beforehandatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params