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As India gears up to host the ICC World Cup 2023, excitement is palpable for the highly awaited clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, slated for October 14 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. The fixture marks their first encounter on Indian soil since 2016, and its impact on the city is already evident.
Hotel and flight prices have surged, with advance bookings at top-tier Ahmedabad hotels nearly at capacity. Reports suggest that 3 and 5-star hotel room rates have escalated to INR 20,000 to 2.5 lakh per night. Even opulent presidential suites command INR 1 lakh to 2.5 lakh nightly.
The Hotel Association of Ahmedabad foresees a booking frenzy once match tickets are released, with accommodations within a 100-kilometer radius filling up rapidly. Prices have already spiked and are predicted to soar further during the event.
Air travel costs have mirrored this trend, with flight tickets from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad surging to INR 10,000 to 25,000 per person during World Cup match days. This is a fivefold increase from the usual range of INR 2,500 to 5,000, largely due to the high demand surrounding the India-Pakistan clash.
Beyond hotels, local clubhouses are also making arrangements to host game spectators. The city's largest club is gearing up with room reservations and an amphitheater setup capable of accommodating up to 10,000 fans, transforming the game into a celebratory festival.
According to the ICC's latest announcement, tickets for India's matches in Ahmedabad will go on sale on September 3. As the countdown to the marquee match begins, fans and the city itself are bracing for an electrifying showdown that promises to be etched into cricketing history.
