COLOMBO — Thousands of India and Pakistan cricket fans have travelled to Colombo for Sunday’s T20 World Cup group-stage match, pushing up flight fares and hotel rates and delivering a boost to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.

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Hotels booked out, premium packages in demand Positioning as a neutral venue

The high-profile India vs Pakistan fixture at the R Premadasa Stadium has sold out, with around 35,000 tickets issued. Travel agencies and booking platforms show that hotel prices in the Sri Lankan capital have more than doubled ahead of the game, with some rooms reaching $660 per night compared to the usual $100 to $150 range.

Flights into Colombo have also risen sharply. Travel agents said last-minute bookings filled seats from Indian cities such as Chennai and Delhi after Pakistan confirmed earlier this week that it would not boycott the match.

Pakistan to face India on February 15 in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Fares from Chennai, about 90 minutes away by air, have climbed to between $623 and $756, while tickets from Delhi have increased by more than 50 percent to around $666.

Hotels booked out, premium packages in demand

Nalin Jayasundera, president of the Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), said most hotels in Colombo were fully booked ahead of the match.

“Most fans are coming on all-inclusive packages that could be $1,500 to $2,000 or even higher depending on ticket, hotel and flight prices,” Jayasundera said.

Tourism is Sri Lanka’s third-largest source of foreign exchange. Officials hope hosting major sporting events will help sustain the country’s economic recovery following a severe financial crisis and the impact of a recent cyclone.

Buddhika Hewawasam, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, told Reuters that in the first 10 days of February, about 20 percent of the 100,000 visitors to Sri Lanka were travelling for the India-Pakistan match.

Positioning as a neutral venue

Sri Lanka is also seeking to position itself as a neutral venue for high-profile matches between regional rivals.

“This is clearly showing confidence in Sri Lanka as a neutral cricket venue,” Hewawasam said, adding that the country welcomes teams from across South Asia to compete there.

Among the travelling supporters is Mian Sultan from Lahore, who said he paid $800 for a front-row seat. He is attending the match with a friend flying in from New Zealand.

“I think it’s going to be a great experience,” Sultan said, expressing optimism about Pakistan’s chances in the contest.

The match, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the T20 World Cup group stage and has generated significant economic activity for Colombo’s hospitality and travel sectors.