Every year, cricket fans wait for the summer to witness the best cricket rivalry. The Indian Premier League (IPL), first held in 2008, now has become a trademark of entertainment for cricket lovers.
Since then, IPL has gained massive recognition. No doubt, 2025 marks the 18th season of this iconic league.
People love the game so much that they invest their time and money in watching IPL, which creates excellent business opportunities. Cities like Ahmedabad, with massive cricket venues such as the Narendra Modi Stadium, turn into business hubs overnight. This is where the Gujarati business spirit shines—quick to spot an opportunity and ready to act.. Businesses—big and small—find ways to capitalize on the massive footfall around the stadium.
But the question is, what types of businesses get the most out of such events?
To answer this question easily, I have divided IPLs into three phases—before, during, and after the event. Let’s start with how different businesses gain before the matches even begin.
Before the Match: The Business Boom Starts Early
a) Travel & Hospitality Industry
The business buzz kicks in weeks before the first ball is bowled. Hotels in Ahmedabad start filling up fast. Room rates jump higher than usual during the IPL season. Hotels near Narendra Modi Stadium and the airport get booked months in advance. Even small guest houses and homestays turn profitable during this time. Homestay owners clean up spare rooms to rent to cricket tourists.
Not just small homestays, but hotels like Hyatt Regency, and ITC Narmada also see a surge in bookings. Cricketers often stay at these luxury hotels during their time in Ahmedabad, adding to their reputation for premium hospitality.
Everyone shifts their money-making mindset to get profit out of such events.
b) Merchandising & Sports Equipment Sales
Cricket fever hits sports shops too. Team jerseys fly off shelves as fans prepare to show their loyalty. Local shop owners stock up on cricket bats, balls, and team caps. Cricket sports shops like Honey Badger get lots of attention. Kids drag parents to buy cricket kits after watching their cricket heroes on TV.
Small print shops get busy making custom team stickers and posters. You’ll see street carts loaded with affordable team T-shirts near stadiums.
The shop owner’s monthly sales double during the IPL season. Some clever sellers even offer “match day discounts” to attract more buyers.
Game Day Rush: Businesses That Thrive Near Stadiums
a) Local Vendors & Food Stalls
The areas around Narendra Modi Stadium transform on match days. Food carts line up selling fast food and cold drinks at every corner. Chai Wallahs is set up to handle the rush of cricket fans. Vendors sell water bottles just outside the gates. Families grab quick bites from these stalls to avoid food from the stadium. Vendors make a week’s worth of normal sales in just one match day.
b) Transportation
Auto-rickshaw drivers earn double their daily income on match days. Many sticker their rickshaw and cabs in team colors to attract cricket fans. Parking operators turn any unused space into paid parking places during matches. Even local residents rent out their driveways for parking to make money.
c) Restaurants & Cafés
Restaurants and cafes also take advantage of such occasions. Many places create special drinks and meal deals. Some cafes invest in bigger screens and sound systems.
Local Gujarati eateries serve fafda-jalebi and khaman to hungry cricket fans. Cafés extend their hours to catch the post-match crowd heading home.
Food delivery apps see orders spike during crucial match moments. Some restaurants partner with team sponsors for exclusive match-day offers.
After the Match: How IPL Leaves a Lasting Impact
a) Cleaning & Waste Management
When fans head home, another set of businesses springs into action. Cleaning crews arrive with trucks and equipment to tackle the mess. Mountains of plastic cups and food wrappers need sorting and removal.
The morning after a match shows the true scale of cleanup needed. Recycling companies collect tons of plastic waste from a single game. This helps small to big businesses in an indirect way, and that’s how businesses connect and make money.
Opportunity for Everyone
At first glance, it might seem like only big players profit from such tournaments. But in reality, everything is interconnected, creating money-making opportunities for various startups and business owners. From local vendors to large marketing firms and even event management companies, everyone benefits from these.
It all comes down to how you adapt and make the most of the opportunity. Events like IPL teach us one valuable lesson—every opportunity can be turned into a profitable one with the right approach.
Conclusion
IPL brings more than just cricket to Ahmedabad—it creates a money-making wave for everyone. From parking spots to food stalls, locals find ways to tap into cricket fever. The tournament leaves behind lessons in spotting chances where others see crowds. Smart business owners plan months for these two weeks of gold.
When the teams leave, the business skills and connections stay behind.
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