New Delhi, February 14:
As excitement builds for the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the T20 Cricket World Cup, advertisers are racing to secure airtime, pushing advertising rates to record highs. The blockbuster encounter will be played on Sunday, February 15, in Colombo, and is expected to attract massive viewership across television and digital platforms.
According to a report by The Times of India, the cost of a 10-second television advertisement slot during the India-Pakistan match has surged to ₹30–40 lakh, significantly higher than the usual ₹20–25 lakh seen during other major World Cup matches.
Broadcaster Expects ₹2,000 Crore in Advertising Revenue
With demand at an all-time high, the tournament broadcaster JioStar is expected to earn nearly ₹2,000 crore from advertising revenue during the ongoing World Cup.
Industry experts believe that the India-Pakistan fixture is the biggest revenue driver of the tournament, as brands consider it a rare opportunity to reach millions of viewers simultaneously.
Last-Minute Ad Inventory Becomes Costlier
Senior sports analyst and commentator Neeraj Jha stated that the rate for last-minute advertising inventory has risen by at least 20–25%, reflecting intense competition among brands.
He noted that every second of ad inventory during the match will be fully utilised due to overwhelming demand.
Digital Ad Rates Also Surge
Advertising rates on the digital streaming platform JioHotstar have also witnessed a sharp rise. Reports suggest that the cost of a 10-second digital ad slot has climbed to ₹15–20 lakh, as companies look to capture the massive online audience expected for the match.
Brands Ready to Pay Premium Prices
Kushal Sanghvi, Director at global marketing firm Komerz, said companies are willing to pay premium rates at any cost to secure ad space.
He compared the India-Pakistan match advertising market to the pricing of gold and silver, noting that the event is being treated as a “high-value commodity” by the industry.
The biggest interest is reportedly coming from sectors such as:
- Automobile
- FMCG
- Financial services
- Real estate
- Insurance
Although JioStar has not disclosed the complete list of advertisers specifically for the India-Pakistan match, it confirmed that major brands such as Emirates, OpenAI, Birla Opus, Rapido, Amul, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai, Britannia, and the General Insurance Council are among the companies advertising during the World Cup.
Travel Boom Pushes Colombo Flight and Hotel Rates Higher
The India-Pakistan clash has also triggered a sharp spike in travel demand. Thousands of Indian fans are flying to Sri Lanka to watch the match live, causing airfares and hotel prices in Colombo to surge dramatically.
EaseMyTrip CEO and Co-founder Rikant Pittie stated that flight fares from major Indian cities to Colombo have increased by 45–50%.
Meanwhile, MakeMyTrip reported that Colombo bookings have doubled compared to normal days.
Cleartrip Chief Growth and Business Officer Manjari Singhal said travel bookings around the match date have risen by nearly 65%, driven largely by Indian fans.
Hotel demand has also soared, particularly for four-star and five-star properties near the stadium venue. EaseMyTrip reported that the average room rates for premium hotels are now 20–25% higher than usual.
A Match Bigger Than Cricket
The India-Pakistan rivalry has once again proven to be more than just a cricket match. It has become a major commercial event, generating massive advertising revenues and boosting tourism-driven demand — reinforcing its position as the biggest spectacle in world cricket.
Discover more from SD NEWS agency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.