The Indian Premier League may have delivered sixes, last-over thrillers and packed stadiums, but another contest was unfolding away from the cricket field. Across the country, millions of fans turned match nights into food festivals, pushing food delivery and restaurant bookings to new highs during IPL 2026.
Insights released by Swiggy note food delivery orders on the platform jumped 32.31% compared with IPL 2025, while restaurant bookings through Swiggy Dineout climbed 41% year-on-year.
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The biggest action came during the business end of the tournament. As fans settled in for the Qualifier and Final on May 29 and May 31, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad emerged as the country's leading food-ordering cities. Smaller but fast-growing markets such as Surat, Thiruvananthapuram and Vadodara also saw strong demand.
Desserts proved just as popular as the cricket. Choco Lava Cakes, Tender Coconut Ice-cream and Rasmalai topped the dessert charts during the two marquee matches. On the savoury side, Chicken Biryani, Chicken Fried Rice and Veg Burgers dominated orders, while Pav Bhaji and Chicken Popcorn became favourite snack choices.
The second qualifier on May 29 triggered one of the busiest periods of the season. At 8:12 pm, orders surged past 5,200 in a single minute. One customer in Gurugram placed the biggest order of that match, buying 45 Special Veg Thalis worth ₹20,205.
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Two days later, the IPL final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans sent food demand even higher. Orders rose 30% compared with the second qualifier, averaging more than 1,300 orders every minute on the platform. The frenzy peaked at 7:56 pm, when more than 6,200 orders were placed in a single minute.
Fans were not holding back. A customer in Dharamshala ordered a spread featuring Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce, Grilled Chicken Peri-Peri, Chicken 65 and several other dishes as the title clash unfolded.
Not everyone chose to watch from home. Restaurant tables across major cities filled up as supporters headed out to soak in the atmosphere with fellow fans.
Swiggy Dineout bookings during IPL 2026 rose 41% from the previous season, highlighting the growing trend of match-watch gatherings at restaurants and cafes.
Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune recorded the highest number of Dineout bookings during match hours. Among emerging markets, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Lucknow led the way.
The biggest spending stories also came from these gatherings. During the May 29 qualifier, a group of 20 diners in Bengaluru ran up a single Swiggy Dineout bill of ₹2,14,061 while watching the match, making it one of the most eye-catching restaurant spends of the season.
The IPL final generated another spike in dining activity. As Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans battled for the trophy on May 31, Bengaluru registered the highest number of Swiggy Dineout bookings in the country. Bookings in the city were up 32% compared with May 17.
The city also topped the national rankings for premium dining reservations during match hours between 7:30 pm and 11:30 pm, underlining the role of cricket in driving restaurant traffic.
The finals weekend proved lucrative for diners too. Between 7:30 pm and 11:30 pm on May 29 and May 31, customers using Swiggy Dineout collectively saved more than ₹3.5 crore.
Gujarat's cricket fans also brought their appetite to the party. Ahmedabad recorded the highest number of bookings in the state during match hours. In Surat and Vadodara, groups of 30 diners gathered to cheer for their team, making them the largest group feasts in Gujarat during the tournament.
