Colombo | February 15, 2026: The India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match is not just a cricket game.
It has become one of the biggest commercial events in sports history.
As the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo prepares for the high-voltage clash, advertising rates have hit record levels.
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Ad prices for this match have skyrocketed.
Television (Star Sports): ₹30–40 lakh for 10 seconds
Digital (JioHotstar): ₹15–20 lakh for 10 seconds
Connected TV (CTV): ₹1,000 CPM (up from ₹600)
That’s nearly 25–30% higher than a regular World Cup match.
Industry experts estimate broadcaster JioStar could earn close to ₹2,000 crore in ad revenue from the tournament, with a major share coming from this single India-Pakistan fixture.
Why Are Rates So High?
The spike came after political uncertainty earlier this week. When the Pakistan Cricket Board withdrew its boycott threat, remaining ad slots became extremely limited.
Demand shot up instantly.
And when it’s India vs Pakistan, brands don’t want to miss out.
400 Million Viewers Expected
This match is expected to attract over 400 million viewers worldwide.
Top spending sectors include:
Auto
FMCG
Fintech
Real Estate
Insurance
Major brands like Hyundai, Mahindra, Amul, and Britannia have already secured prime ad slots.
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Colombo Feels the Impact Too
The economic effect is not limited to broadcasters.
Airfares from India to Colombo have jumped by up to 300%, with tickets crossing ₹1 lakh.
Hotel rates in Colombo are up by 25%, with many properties fully booked.
The India-Pakistan rivalry is driving massive business beyond cricket.
The Only Uncertainty: Rain
Despite the huge money involved, one factor could disrupt everything — weather.
Rain forecasts over Colombo remain a concern.
But if the skies stay clear, this could become the most-watched and most-profitable cricket match ever.
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