The World Cup attracted 1.25 million spectators, with nearly 75% attending a 50-over match for the first time. International visitors contributed $861.4 million in revenue through accommodation, travel, transportation, and food and beverage.
Secondary and incremental spending amounted to $515.7 million, accounting for approximately 37% of the total economic impact. Many international fans visited multiple tourist destinations, adding $281.2 million to the economy.
The event created over 48,000 full- and part-time jobs, contributing an additional $18 million to the economy through various sectors involved in hosting the tournament.
A significant 73% of local attendees felt that hosting the World Cup positively reflected on India’s global image. Moreover, 68% of international attendees stated they would recommend India as a tourist destination to friends and family.
The host cities and India gained substantial exposure, generating a media impact worth $70.7 million through city shots, branding, and mentions.The event is expected to have lasting effects, with 59% of international attendees indicating a high likelihood of revisiting India in the future.An impressive 73% of local attendees said hosting the Cricket World Cup reflected positively on the image of India, with the pan-India impact—value not associated with a host city—of the event amounting to $253.9 million.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Economic Impact Assessment was conducted by Nielsen. The information was supplied by ICC and BCCI, gathered via online and in-person spectator surveys, and the multiplier is proprietary software by Nielsen.
Geoff Allardice, ICC Chief Executive, commented, “The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has demonstrated the significant economic power of cricket, generating an economic benefit of $1.39 billion for India. The event created thousands of jobs and showcased India as a premier tourist destination, proving that ICC events not only engage fans passionately but also contribute significantly to the economies of our host nations.”
The World Cup, which took place between 5 October and 19 November 2023 across 10 host cities, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune, proved to be a catalyst for growth across various sectors, contributing significantly to India’s economy and showcasing the value of ICC events.
Direct investment into staging the event from both the ICC and the BCCI combined with a programme of stadium upgrades via the State Cricket Associations delivered direct benefits to Indian businesses across a range of sectors.
A record-breaking 1.25 million spectators attended the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, of which nearly 75% were attending an ICC Men’s CWC 50-over match for the first time ever. Nearly 55% of the international respondents had previously visited India regularly, whilst an injection of new visitors thanks to the World Cup saw 19% of international attendees making their first ever visit to the country.