Press release
Expedia Group Study Reveals 9 in 10 Indian Football Fans Plan Their Holidays Around Sporting Events
Football Fever Catching Up In India NEW DELHI, India, May 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Expedia Group, the world's travel platform and Official Travel Partner of
About this update from Expedia Group, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Football Fever Catching Up In India\n NEW DELHI, India, May 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Expedia Group, the world's travel platform and Official Travel Partner of the UEFA Champions League, today presented the results of Destination: Football – An Expedia Group Study on Football Travel Trends*, examining the traits of football fans across the world and their willingness to travel for the sport. \nManmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Brand Expedia in India said, \"India has seen a change in travel patterns and increasing incidence of travelling for sports events in the past few years. Travelling overseas for such events allows fans to watch their favourite sport in action while exploring new places and experiencing the local cultures, food & crafts.\n\"It's exciting to see how passionately Indian fans follow football with 81% of fans stating that they changed their travel plans to ensure they don't miss a match.\" \nHow enthusiastic are Indians for the sport?\nAccording to the research commissioned by Expedia Group, Brand Expedia and Hotels.com, nothing beats the excitement of witnessing the match in person with 84% of Indians claiming to have watched a football game live and 78% travelling out of India to watch those. 77% of Indians confirmed to have booked travel to the game as soon as the fixture list got announced \nPopular football meccas and winning match companions\nAmong all the famed football stadiums in the world, 15% voted for Manchester United FC's Old Trafford, followed by Wembley London at 10% and Camp Nou Barcelona at 9%. \nFootie Fans are also serious about their match companions, with ex-professional footballers topping their celebrity wish lists. Former Brazilian striker Ronaldo is the most desirable celeb to join fans travelling to a game (33%), with David Beckham coming in a close second (20%) & Maradona at 13%. \nProximity to stadium and 24-hour check-in top hotel considerations for fans\nIn terms of the top consideration factors for their choice of accommodation, 58% of Indian fans identified proximity to the stadium, followed by 56% wanting 24-hour check-in service. 48% preferred rooms suitable for groups. In terms of the accommodation type 33% prefer five-star hotels and only 10% preferred to stay at a friend's house. \nFans also see football as an opportunity to explore the city. Aside from watching foo...