Cricket fever during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season translated into a massive surge in food consumption across India, according to new data released by food delivery and dining out platform Swiggy. The tournament saw record-breaking orders for both home delivery and restaurant bookings, highlighting the deep connection between sports and culinary indulgence in the country.
Delivery Orders Hit New Peaks
Swiggy reported a substantial 32.31% increase in food delivery orders compared to IPL 2025. The peak moments for ordering coincided with crucial matches, particularly the playoff stages. During the second qualifier on May 29, orders surged past 5,200 in a single minute at 8:12 pm. The IPL final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans on May 31 saw an even greater spike, with orders reaching over 6,200 per minute at 7:56 pm, marking a 30% jump from the qualifier.
Notable individual orders included a Gurugram customer who placed the biggest delivery order during a playoff match, purchasing 45 Special Veg Thalis for ₹20,205. Another customer in Dharamshala ordered an elaborate spread featuring Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce, Grilled Chicken Peri-Peri, and Chicken 65.
Dining Out Experiences Flourish
The IPL also significantly boosted Swiggy Dineout bookings, which climbed 41% year-on-year. Diners collectively saved over ₹3.5 crore through Swiggy Dineout during the finals weekend (May 29 and May 31). Bengaluru emerged as a leader in dining out, recording the highest number of bookings during match hours and a 32% increase on the final day compared to May 17.
One of the most extravagant dining experiences recorded was in Bengaluru on May 29, where a group of 20 diners spent a staggering ₹2,14,061 while watching a match. Other cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune also saw high booking volumes, with Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Lucknow leading among emerging markets.
India's Favourite Match-Day Meals
The data also offered insights into India's preferred dishes during the tournament:
- Main Courses: Chicken Biryani, Chicken Fried Rice, and Veg Burgers were the most ordered items.
- Desserts: Choco Lava Cake, Tender Coconut Ice-cream, and Rasmalai topped the sweet treats.
- Snacks: Pav Bhaji and Chicken Popcorn proved to be popular choices for quick bites.
Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad led in food order volumes during the qualifiers and final, while Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, and Vadodara showed strong demand among developing markets, underscoring the widespread impact of the IPL on India's food consumption habits.