Ahmedabad (Gurpreet Singh): Accommodation costs in Ahmedabad have skyrocketed ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final, as cricket enthusiasts rush to the city to witness the much-awaited showdown between the India national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team on Sunday.
The championship match will be held at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, drawing thousands of fans from across India and overseas. The surge in visitors has created an unprecedented demand for hotel rooms, pushing nightly rates to unusually high levels across the city.
Industry estimates indicate that rooms in budget hotels are being quoted at around ₹15,000 per night, while high-end properties are charging anywhere between ₹56,000 and ₹80,000. Some premium accommodations may even exceed ₹1 lakh per night as the final approaches.
The clash between India and New Zealand has heightened excitement among cricket followers, as it will be their second meeting in the final of a major ICC white-ball event within a year. The two sides last battled for the trophy during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.
For India, the stakes are particularly high. A win would see them become the first team to successfully defend the men’s T20 World Cup title. It would also secure a record third championship for the side and mark the first time the trophy has been lifted on home soil.
New Zealand, meanwhile, are aiming to break new ground by claiming their first T20 World Cup title. The team’s best finish so far came in 2022, when they ended the tournament as runners-up.
Hospitality sector representatives say the city has witnessed a sharp spike in bookings since India sealed their place in the final with a victory over England in the semi-finals. Narendra Somani of the Gujarat Hotels and Restaurants Association noted that hotels across Ahmedabad have seen a surge in demand.
Business leaders, including Sanjeev Chhajer from the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the high-profile sporting event is likely to provide a significant boost to local tourism, transport services and hospitality businesses.
With fans continuing to pour into the city and excitement building for the final, Ahmedabad is gearing up for one of the biggest cricket events of the year.
