Travel agents report that most bookings were made in recent weeks, driving up ticket prices as the match date nears.
Cricket fans in the UAE are spending over Dh6,500 for a weekend trip to Colombo to watch the highly anticipated India-Pakistan T20 clash live on Sunday. Rising airfares and higher hotel rates ahead of the match have pushed up the overall cost of attending.
A Khaleej Times analysis shows that return tickets from Dubai to Colombo during the match period are averaging around Dh3,700, depending on travel dates and availability at the time of booking.
Direct flights departing on Friday are averaging around Dh1,680 for the outbound journey, with return tickets three days later priced at about Dh1,200. For travelers flying Saturday, onward fares average around Dh2,000, with return flights on Tuesday around Dh1,600. Travel agents noted that most bookings were made in recent weeks, contributing to rising prices as the match approaches.
Among those travelling is Jahanzeb, a Pakistani businessman based in Dubai, who makes it a point to watch India-Pakistan matches live whenever possible. He has taken time off work to attend the game in Colombo.
“I always try to watch this rivalry live. The stadium atmosphere is completely different,” he said.
Jahanzeb booked his return ticket a few days ago for Dh2,300, before fares increased. He is flying out on Friday and returning on Tuesday, turning the trip into a long weekend. He also reserved a three-night stay in a central Colombo hotel for approximately Dh2,200. Current listings indicate that a four-day stay in a five-star hotel over the match weekend ranges between Dh1,800 and Dh4,000, depending on the property and location.
Match ticket prices vary by seating, with mid-range seats costing Dh400–Dh600. Additional expenses for local transport, airport transfers, food, and short sightseeing trips can add Dh600–Dh800. Altogether, a short weekend trip can easily total Dh6,000–Dh7,000.
“It is expensive, but India-Pakistan is not an ordinary match,” Jahanzeb said.
Easy Visa Process and High Demand
Subair Thekepurathvalappil, Senior Manager at Wisefox Travel and Tourism, noted strong demand among die-hard cricket fans from both nations.
“There is heavy demand among fans. The visa process is easy for both countries, and Sri Lanka is already a popular tourist destination,” he said.
“Many travellers plan to combine the match with a short vacation before Ramadan starts. Such matches come only once every few years, and people do not want to miss the stadium experience.”
He added that hotel fares have risen, and even a single high-profile match can give a temporary boost to Colombo’s tourism activity.
