ICC World Cup Final 2023: Ahmedabad hotel rates surge, flight costs soar

Amid the feverish excitement leading up to the ICC World Cup 2023 final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, cricket enthusiasts are facing unexpected hurdles as they strive to be part of the historic showdown.

Initially anticipated to be a straightforward task, securing accommodations and tickets has transformed into a formidable challenge for fans. Following the announcement of the tournament schedule months ago, enthusiasts eagerly planned their pilgrimage to Ahmedabad.

However, with India's entrance into the finals, their plans encountered a daunting reality: hotel prices skyrocketing from a modest ₹24,000 per night to an astonishing ₹2,15,000 per night. Even basic lodgings are commanding prices as high as ₹10,000 a night, while premium establishments—four and five-star hotels—are reaching an unprecedented ₹1 lakh per night.

Prominent travel platforms like Booking.com, MakeMyTrip, and Agoda have reported an overwhelming surge in searches for accommodations in Ahmedabad ahead of the upcoming final. Meanwhile, Google flight data highlights a staggering 200% to 300% surge in round-trip ticket prices during the final match week.

For instance, flights from Delhi to Ahmedabad on November 18 are currently priced upwards of ₹15,000. The final phase of match tickets, which were made available on November 13, has already sold out. The last remaining tickets on BookMyShow were priced at ₹10,000 each.

In response to the surging demand for physical match tickets necessitating in-person collection from stadium counters, Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), announced dedicated counters for fans' convenience.

India secured its spot in the World Cup finals by overpowering New Zealand with a commanding 70-run victory at the Wankhede Stadium, marking an electrifying semi-final and maintaining an unblemished record throughout the tournament. As the final showdown approaches, the fervour and frenzy among cricket enthusiasts continue to escalate, despite the unprecedented challenges they face in ensuring their presence at this historic event.

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