According to reports from The Economic Times, food delivery apps run deals, dine-in charges jump sharply, and ad rates surge like the last over of a thriller match.

One punchy truth bomb: Cricket isn’t the product. You are.

For those who want to understand how advertising pricing works in general, Investopedia explains the basics of ad-driven business models quite well in their marketing and advertising industry coverage.

Now let’s decode this “match day madness” like an insider.

What’s Happening: Why India-Pakistan Match Day Is a Business Tsunami

When India plays Pakistan, something weird happens.

Not just in stadiums.

But in:

food delivery apps
bars and restaurants
advertising budgets
OTT platforms
quick commerce warehouses
brand boardrooms

Suddenly, everyone wants your attention.

And more importantly…

Everyone wants your wallet.

This is why India-Pakistan match day has become one of the biggest money-printing events in South Asia.

It’s basically Diwali… with wickets.

The Shocking Part: Restaurants Quietly Double Dine-In Charges

Here’s the part that should honestly come with a warning label.

Reports suggest dine-in charges can rise by up to 100% on match screening days.

Yes, you read that right.

Your ₹300 snack platter becomes ₹600.
Your “normal Sunday dinner” becomes “premium cricket experience”.

And they won’t call it price hike.

They’ll call it:

✨ Screening cover charge
✨ Special match menu
✨ Event seating fee
✨ Unlimited vibe tax

Translation: You came for cricket. You paid for capitalism.

Food Delivery Apps Are Running Deals… But Not for Charity

Swiggy and Zomato are reportedly running “flat deals” with select partner restaurants.

Sounds like discounts, right?

But here’s the inside trick:

They don’t reduce prices. They increase volume.

On India-Pakistan match day, demand shoots up so sharply that even a small discount can produce massive profit.

Because what matters isn’t the margin per order.

It’s the total number of orders.

And match day does something magical:

🍕 People order impulsively.
🍔 People order in groups.
🥤 People add snacks they don’t need.
🍟 People pay delivery fees without blinking.

This is the same psychology casinos use.

Just with biryani.

Quick Commerce: The “Impulse Category” Jackpot

This is where things get even more ridiculous.

According to the report, impulse categories like:

snacks
cold drinks
chips
ice creams
instant noodles

see a sharp rise.

Quick commerce companies basically treat match day like a battlefield operation.

Warehouses get stocked like it’s an apocalypse.

Because people don’t plan snacks.

They panic-buy snacks.

And panic-buying is the most profitable buying.

Most people don’t know this, but match day isn’t driven by hunger.

It’s driven by emotion.

And emotional consumers are the easiest to monetize.

Ads Rates Up 25%? Welcome to Cricket Economy Madness

Now comes the real corporate flex.

The report suggests ad rates shot up by 25%.

That means if an advertiser normally pays X amount for a slot, on India-Pakistan match day they pay:

X + panic premium.

And brands don’t mind.

Because India-Pakistan isn’t a match.

It’s a guaranteed attention magnet.

Even people who don’t watch cricket suddenly become cricket experts:

“Arre yaar fielding tight honi chahiye.”

Brands love that.

Because attention = conversion.

The Biggest Reveal: JioStar’s ₹2,000 Crore Ad Dream

Here’s the kind of number that makes marketing heads faint.

The report says JioStar expects to rake in advertising revenue of over:

₹2,000 crore

That’s not pocket money.

That’s a full-blown corporate festival.

And here’s why it’s believable:

India-Pakistan match day is a rare event where:

millions watch together
emotions run high
engagement is extreme
ads are remembered

In normal advertising, people skip ads.

On match day, people watch ads because they’re waiting for the next ball.

That’s a psychological goldmine.

If you want to understand how broadcasters monetize viewership spikes, check the BARC India viewership measurement system which tracks TV audience trends.

Who’s Spending the Most? The “Top Spenders” List Is a Cheat Code

According to the report, top spenders include:

Britannia
Amul
Hyundai
Emirates
Rapido
Mahindra & Mahindra

Now pause.

This list tells a deeper story.

Why are food brands spending?

Because match day = snacking.

Why is Rapido spending?

Because match day gatherings = movement + ride demand.

Why are car brands spending?

Because high emotion moments create long-term brand recall.

A match is temporary.

Brand memory is permanent.

This is not advertising.

This is psychological planting.

Bars and Clubs: Match Day Is Their Secret “New Year Night”

Bars and clubs treat India-Pakistan match day like their New Year’s Eve.

Because footfall spikes hard.

And when footfall spikes, businesses do two things:

Increase prices
Reduce offers

Classic demand-supply.

Reports indicate some outlets see footfall nearly 2X compared to regular Sundays.

That’s insane.

That means more:

table bookings
premium drink sales
combo meals
“service charges” that feel suspiciously permanent

Basically, your beer becomes a luxury product.

Because the match made it emotional.

And emotional people tip more.

Why This Match Creates a “Carnival Economy”

One quote in the report describes India-Pakistan match as “carnival events”.

And that’s exactly what it is.

A carnival economy has three features:

crowds
hype
impulsive spending

And the genius part?

People don’t feel guilty spending on match day.

Because they justify it as:

“It’s India-Pakistan bro!”

This is the same psychology used during weddings:

“Once in a lifetime!”

Except India-Pakistan happens often enough for brands to build an annual profit strategy.

Insider Marketing Truth: Brands Don’t Sell Products, They Sell Identity

This is where most people get fooled.

Brands don’t sell chips.

They sell the feeling of being part of the moment.

They don’t sell cola.

They sell “celebration energy”.

They don’t sell pizza.

They sell “watch party convenience”.

India-Pakistan match day is basically a stage where brands sell identity like:

“Real fans order snacks”
“Real patriots celebrate with friends”
“Real match nights deserve premium drinks”

And the audience buys it happily.

How You Can Outsmart the Match Day Spending Trap

Now let’s turn this into value.

Because yes, match day is fun.

But you don’t need to donate your salary to Swiggy and pubs.

3 Smart Moves (Simple But Powerful)

1. Order Early

Prices surge during peak match hours. Order 60–90 minutes before toss.

2. Avoid “Match Combos”

They look value-packed but often have inflated pricing.

3. Host at Home

Restaurants charge premiums. Home gatherings cost less and feel better.

This sounds basic, but over a year, this can save you thousands.

Conclusion: India-Pakistan Match Day Is Cricket’s Biggest Business Scam (In a Good Way)

Let’s be honest.

The match is thrilling.

But the bigger game is happening off-field.

The real winners of India-Pakistan match day are not the players.

They are:

advertisers
broadcasters
restaurants
delivery apps
quick commerce companies

And the customer?

You.

This isn’t “fan culture”.

This is fan monetization.

So enjoy the match, celebrate the rivalry…

…but don’t get played like a clueless rookie.

Because match day hype is temporary.

Your bank balance is permanent.

FAQs (Featured Snippet Style)

Q1. Why do prices increase on India-Pakistan match day?

Because demand spikes sharply, allowing restaurants, bars, and delivery apps to charge premium pricing.

Q2. Do ad rates really surge during India-Pakistan matches?

Yes. Reports suggest ad rates can rise around 25% due to massive viewership and engagement.

Q3. Which brands spend the most on India-Pakistan match day?

Top spenders include Britannia, Amul, Hyundai, Emirates, Rapido, and Mahindra & Mahindra.

Q4. Why do food delivery orders rise during India-Pakistan matches?

Because people host watch parties and buy snacks impulsively during high-emotion moments.

Q5. Are dine-in charges higher during match screenings?

Yes. Reports indicate dine-in charges can increase significantly, sometimes up to 100% compared to normal days.

Q6. How can consumers save money on match day spending?

Order early, avoid inflated match combos, and consider hosting at home instead of dining out.

Now tell me honestly…

Did you ever realize how much money moves behind one cricket match?

💬 Comment below: Do you think match day pricing is smart business or pure loot?
📢 Share this post with your cricket group (they need this reality check).
🔥 And read more business-behind-the-news breakdowns—because the next match day spending trap is already loading.

Do this now before the next price surge hits.

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Credit: The Economic Times

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