Champions Trophy 2025: Airfares, hotel rates to rise by 50% ahead of India vs Pakistan match in Dubai
Mega cricket tournament to feature top 8 ODI teams, all India matches in UAE
Dubai is preparing for an influx of cricket fans from around the world as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches.
Scheduled to start on February 19, the tournament will feature the top eight ODI teams, with all of India’s matches taking place in the UAE city. The high-profile India-Pakistan match, slated for February 23, is expected to draw large crowds, but fans from other nations are also eager to witness India’s other fixtures in Dubai.
As the tournament nears, the travel industry in the city is gearing up for a significant increase in bookings and price surges.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight of the best ODI teams in world cricket, divided into two groups. Group A includes India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B consists of Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
The UAE will host all India’s matches, with the Dubai International Stadium serving as the venue for these highly anticipated fixtures. Other matches will be hosted across stadiums in Pakistan, but the UAE will play a key role in attracting global fans, with Dubai as the primary destination for Indian supporters.
Dubai International Stadium, one of the UAE’s premier cricket venues, will be the epicentre of India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Known for its world-class facilities, this stadium boasts a seating capacity of over 25,000, and is set to host a packed house for India’s games. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure and the allure of top-tier cricket, the stadium will undoubtedly be a hotspot for international fans flocking to Dubai for the event.
Surge in travel demand
As fans prepare to witness India’s key matchups, demand for flights and hotel bookings is skyrocketing. Major departure cities contributing to the demand include Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad, alongside Pakistan’s key cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
However, cricket-loving fans from the UK, Australia, and Saudi Arabia are also expected to join the rush. Travel agencies report a steady increase in demand, with a final booking frenzy predicted as the tournament approaches.
Flight and hotel prices set to rise
Industry experts predict that airfares will rise by 20-50% in the lead-up to the event, with last-minute bookings potentially causing fares to double.
Hotel rates, too, are expected to see a sharp increase, particularly in areas like Deira, Downtown, and Dubai Marina, where occupancy rates are already rising. Budget hotels are filling up quickly, while luxury properties on Palm Jumeirah and Sheikh Zayed Road are seeing more premium bookings.
In the final weeks, hotel prices may surge by as much as 50%, or in extreme cases, even tenfold, as the demand reaches its peak.
Travel packages and early bookings
In anticipation of the growing demand, travel agencies have introduced a range of packages that include flights, hotel stays, and match tickets.
Previous travel packages for India’s Dubai fixtures during past tournaments were priced around $2,500 (Dh9,175), which included a 4-star hotel stay and match tickets.
Similar packages are expected this time, and luxury travel experiences will feature exclusive match-day screenings, cricket-themed dining, and entertainment.
As the date for the India-Pakistan match draws near, and with all of India’s fixtures set to be hosted in Dubai, the city’s travel industry is bracing for intense few weeks. Airlines may increase flight capacities or add new routes to handle the surge in travellers, while hotels continue to report high occupancy. Travel companies are advising fans to book early to avoid sky-high prices and limited availability.