IPL 2026 Boosts Food Delivery and Restaurant Bookings Across India
Surge in Food Consumption During IPL 2026
The Indian Premier League (IPL) not only captivated cricket fans but also led to a significant increase in food orders and restaurant visits throughout India. The excitement of match nights during IPL 2026 transformed into major dining events, resulting in a notable rise for food delivery and restaurant reservation services. Insights from Swiggy revealed that food delivery volumes surged by 32.31% compared to the previous season. Additionally, restaurant bookings via Swiggy Dineout experienced a remarkable 41% year-on-year increase, highlighting the integral role of food in the tournament.
Peak activity was observed during the tournament's final stages. On May 29 and May 31, as fans tuned in for the Qualifier and Final, cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad emerged as the top contributors to food orders. Emerging markets such as Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, and Vadodara also showed substantial demand.
Among the most popular items ordered during the two key matches were sweet treats like Choco Lava Cakes, Tender Coconut Ice-cream, and Rasmalai. For main courses, Chicken Biryani, Chicken Fried Rice, and Veg Burgers were favored, while snacks like Pav Bhaji and Chicken Popcorn were also in high demand.
The second qualifier on May 29 was particularly busy for delivery services, with Swiggy recording over 5,200 orders in just one minute at 8:12 pm. A notable order from Gurugram included 45 Special Veg Thalis totaling Rs 20,205.
Food orders further escalated during the IPL final between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Gujarat Titans on May 31, with Swiggy noting that order volumes were 30% higher than during the second qualifier. The platform processed an average of over 1,300 orders per minute during the final, peaking at 7:56 pm with more than 6,200 orders placed in a single minute.
Restaurants and Cafes Thrive Amid Match-Watching
Not all fans opted to watch the matches from home; many flocked to restaurants and cafes for a vibrant viewing experience. Swiggy Dineout bookings rose by 41% compared to IPL 2025, indicating the increasing popularity of communal match-viewing. Major cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune saw the highest number of bookings during match times, while emerging markets such as Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Lucknow also contributed significantly.
The largest restaurant bill of the season was recorded during the May 29 qualifier, where a group of 20 diners in Bengaluru racked up a Swiggy Dineout bill of Rs 2,14,061 while enjoying the game.
The final match also provided a substantial boost to the dining industry. Bengaluru led the nation in Dineout bookings during the title clash, with reservations increasing by 32% compared to May 17. The city also topped premium dining bookings between 7:30 pm and 11:30 pm, reflecting cricket's growing impact on restaurant traffic.
Customers benefited from the tournament's closing weekend as well, with diners using Swiggy Dineout saving over Rs 3.5 crore collectively between 7:30 pm and 11:30 pm on May 29 and May 31.