IND Vs PAK: Sri Lanka Witnesses Surge In Flight, Hotel Bookings As Colombo Gears Up To Host Match

As the high-voltage India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup clash approaches on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Colombo has turned into the epicentre of a massive tourism boom. Following Pakistan’s last-minute decision to revoke their boycott, fans have flooded the Sri Lankan capital, triggering what industry experts are calling a classic case of “eventflation.”

The match, held at the R. Premadasa Stadium, is not just a sporting event but a significant economic lifeline for the island nation.

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The Travel Surge: By The Numbers

The demand for a seat at the Premadasa has translated into eye-watering costs for travelling fans, particularly from India.

Category	Typical Price	Match Week Price	Surge Factor
One-Way Flight (Delhi/Mumbai)	₹15,000 – ₹30,000	₹65,000 – ₹1.45 Lakh	~5x
Premium Hotel (Per Night)	₹10,000 – ₹15,000	₹60,000 – ₹1.14 Lakh	~6x
All-Inclusive Fan Package	N/A	$1,500 – $2,000+	High-End

• Visa Ease: Travel has been further facilitated by Sri Lanka’s free 30-day Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Indian citizens, making spontaneous “blue-jersey” trips possible.
• Booking Volume: Cleartrip reported a 65% surge in bookings to Colombo specifically around the match dates.

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Official Perspectives

The influx has provided a much-needed boost to Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves and its reputation as a premier neutral venue.

“This clearly shows confidence in Sri Lanka as a neutral cricket venue… this is a welcome message to all South Asian countries that they can play cricket in Sri Lanka.”

— Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Nalin Jayasundera, President of Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), confirmed that the city’s upscale hotels are effectively booked out, with fans now spilling over to nearby coastal towns like Galle and Kandy for extended stays.

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The “Bumrah” Factor

On the field, the anticipation is at fever pitch. Jasprit Bumrah, who recently gave fans a scare by accidentally hitting Ishan Kishan with a yorker in the nets, has been active on social media. He shared a light-hearted post about the incident, reassuring fans that both he and Kishan are “all systems go” for the Sunday showdown.