A consumer snapshot from ClickPost’s IPL logistics report based on 70 million+ shipments from the 13 IPL host cities.
Mumbai: Cricket on TV, “Add to Cart” on Mobile
As Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally broke their 18-year title drought, another kind of win was unfolding across India—in online carts. During the IPL 2025 season (March 22 – June 3), the average value of an IPL-season order jumped to ₹1,008—more than triple the pre-tournament ₹309 baseline. From quick buys to premium splurges, Indians were shopping with serious intent between overs.
Three Fan-Favorite Insights
1. Quick Commerce Dominated the Field:
Bengaluru led the charge with over 3.47 lakh quick-commerce deliveries during the tournament. Delhi followed close behind with 2.78 lakh such orders. Fast delivery wasn’t just about speed—it was about matching the pulse of the game.
2. Deliveries Inside Stadium Zones? Game On:
Even during high-stakes games, deliveries made it through. Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium zone recorded a 70% success rate during matches like RCB vs MI and MI vs CSK. Chennai’s Chepauk stadium also managed over 60% successful deliveries despite packed surroundings and CSK’s raucous home support.
3. Weekend Clashes Sent Orders Soaring:
Big match weekends like April 5–7 and May 4–5 witnessed massive spikes in order volume. Some Tier-1 cities saw delivery attempts surge by over 30%—a reflection of how cricket fever directly translated into cart activity.
What Were IPL Fans Buying?
The top-selling items were both practical and match-friendly—T-shirts, lip balms, and BPA-free bottles led the charts. Meanwhile, premium categories like health supplements, fashion kits, and cosmetics saw the highest average order values. What stood out? Fans weren’t just browsing—they were buying fast, and they weren’t abandoning their carts.
City-by-City Highlights
● Kolkata emerged as a surprise hero with an 81% delivery success rate and one of the lowest complaint volumes in the country.
● Delhi showed its resilience with over 75,000 delivery reattempts, 71% of which were successfully fulfilled the very next day.
● Bengaluru, aside from winning the title, also earned the title of quick-commerce capital with 3.47 lakh orders and a 72% success rate.
● Mumbai, despite dealing with the highest order volumes and congested match-day traffic, still held strong with a 73.3% delivery success rate.
Delivering Through the IPL Chaos
Some delivery zones truly tested the logistics ecosystem. Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium zone saw 70% of deliveries succeed even during marquee fixtures. Chennai’s stadium area held strong above 60%, proving well-managed routing and crowd mapping worked.
However, some zones proved more difficult. In Delhi, the Arun Jaitley Stadium area recorded a much lower delivery success rate of just over 22%, underscoring the need for better hyperlocal planning. Visakhapatnam’s stadium zone, especially during SRH home games, had success rates dipping to as low as 9–15%. Guwahati, too, presented a city-wide challenge with an overall success rate of just 14.5%.
These zones acted as high-pressure laboratories, providing insights that will be key in designing smarter, fan-aware delivery systems for the future.
Why Returns Rose with the Run Rate
Returns spiked sharply on days when cricket drama peaked. Whether it was last-minute plan changes, delivery timing mismatches, or just being glued to a screen, Return-to-Origin (RTO) events surged on key dates like April 21 (GT vs KKR), April 27 (MI vs LSG & DC vs RCB), and May 3–4 (RCB vs CSK & KKR vs RR). In many cases, the IPL calendar almost perfectly aligned with consumer behavior shifts.
What Brands Should Do Next Season
● Time your campaigns and delivery slots around match hours, especially during peak weekends.
● Geo-fence stadiums in advance to plan rider availability and dynamic routes for better delivery success.
● Curate your merchandise to match moments—impulse buys like fan gear and lip balm sell just as well as premium skincare and health kits.
● Prepare for dual demand: Think both last-minute buys and high-value shopping carts.
● Double down on quick-commerce—it’s no longer a niche, it’s the MVP of the IPL e-commerce playbook.
Final Takeaway
IPL 2025 wasn’t a disruption—it was a test. And India’s logistics ecosystem rose to the occasion. From match-day cart surges to stadium-side deliveries, the real winners were the teams that played off the field—quick, efficient, and always match-ready.
