Move over Bollywood – the real blockbuster of 2023 was the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and it didn’t just break hearts, it broke the bank too!
India Cashes In On Cricket Fever
A mind boggling USD 1.39 billion-that’s Rs 11,637 crore-was the economic impact of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 held across India last October-November, according to a Nielsen report commissioned by the ICC. Yes, folks, cricket isn’t just a game here – it’s an economy!
Tourism Scores Big
It so happened that the real MVPs weren’t just Virat Kohli or Steve Smith but the tourism. As high as $861.4 million was raked in through hotels, restaurants, and travel services. Be it a street-side ‘chai’ establishment or a buffet at a 5-star hotel, the cricket action spilled over into every other business, feeding everyone a slice of the money pie. Who needs the Taj Mahal when one gets a match at the Wankhede Stadium? This translated to nearly 1.25 million spectators in the stadiums, 75% of whom watched an ICC 50-over game for the very first time. It just seems like cricket turns casual viewers into ardent fans-or at least into experts in stadium snacks!
Tourists or Superfans? Why Not Both!
This also gave India’s international tourism a fillip: 19% of international visitors came onto Indian soil for the first time, simply because they love cricket! As many as 68% of them are ready to shout from the rooftops-or at least Instagram-that India is a must-visit spot.
Jobs Galore – Cricket’s Economic Sixer
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 wasn’t all about swanky cricket kits, nor was it: over 48,000 jobs it created. From installing stadiums to serving dosas, cricket set many hands to work. So, the next time someone says that watching sports doesn’t pay off, show them the receipts-this cricket fest actually brought the goods!
Australia’s Party Crasher Moment
In the end, Australia might have taken the World Cup home and broken India’s unbeaten run, however the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 left India winning big-not just in passion, but in cold, hard cash!
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
