There was a time when watching the IPL playoffs meant sitting in front of your TV or maybe getting lucky with a stadium ticket. It was all about the match, the drama, the sixes, the last-over thrillers. But something interesting has been happening over the past couple of years.
The fans are changing. And so is the way they show up.
IPL 2025 has quietly turned into something much bigger than cricket. It’s become a movement. One where hitting the road, taking that overnight journey, making stopovers, and celebrating every kilometre with fellow fans is part of the experience.
Yes, we’re talking about the road trip culture of IPL playoffs.
And it’s booming.
Stadiums Are Still Sacred. But Now, the Roads Leading There Matter Just As Much
Let’s take this year’s playoff schedule. Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator are both happening in New Chandigarh. The final is in Ahmedabad. These aren’t just cities anymore, they’re destinations.
Fans aren’t just booking match tickets. They’re booking full trips.
Some are doing Chandigarh via Manali or Dehradun. Others are using Ahmedabad as an excuse to stop in Udaipur, explore the Rann of Kutch, or eat their way through Surat.
Why?
Because watching the playoffs is no longer just about the match. It’s about making a memory.
This Isn’t Just Cricket Anymore. It’s a Festival on Wheels.
Talk to any serious IPL fan in their 20s or 30s, and they’ll tell you, the group trip is the real highlight. The match is the climax, sure. But the playlist battles in the bus, the roadside chai, the team chant videos, the offbeat detours, the hotel balcony match analyses, that’s where the magic is.
A bunch of RCB fans recently took a 30-hour road trip to Chandigarh in a sleeper bus. They planned every bit of it:
- Night drive halts with live commentary playing on Bluetooth speakers
- An entire pre-match ‘press conference’ live-streamed from a moving bus
This is what the IPL has become. Not just a tournament. But a reason to go somewhere together.
IPL Trips Are the New Goa Trips
Earlier it was like, “Let’s plan a Goa trip this summer.”
Now it’s “Bro, let’s do the Ahmedabad final. We’ll take the scenic route from Jaipur.”
And it’s not just the boys. Girls, couples, even older fans are planning cricket road trips with match tickets as their anchor. Some even skip the stadium and just vibe in the host city to watch the match at a pub full of their team’s supporters.
Because let’s face it: half the fun is being in the buzz.
Budget Isn’t a Barrier. Sleeper Buses Are the Real MVP
Let’s say you’re a student in Delhi. Or a young working professional from Indore. Flights are pricey, trains are packed.
But a sleeper bus? That’s your gateway to the playoffs.
And it’s not the boring old bumpy bus journey you’re imagining. Modern intercity buses, especially premium ones like zingbus have changed the game.
You’re looking at:
- Charging ports at every seat
- Clean washrooms at stops
- Recliner beds and night curtains
- Travel insurance included with zingprime
- Live bus tracking so your friends know where you are
It’s like checking into a moving hostel full of cricket-crazy travellers.
And the best part? You can literally sleep your way into the playoffs. No fatigue. Just fresh energy and ready-for-match vibes when you step off.
Why IPL 2025 Is The Perfect Year to Hit the Road
This season is spicy. Gujarat Titans, RCB, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians are the top four.
RCB fans are always wild. MI fans are always confident. PBKS fans are always hopeful. And GT fans have that quiet dominance. Imagine all of them on the road, heading to the same stadiums, in the same cities.
You won’t just feel the tension in the stadium. You’ll feel it at chai stalls, bus lounges, hotel lobbies, and even public parks.
Traveling during the playoffs this year means you’re not just a spectator. You’re in the middle of the drama.
The Rise of Cricket-Themed Trips
There are travel groups now that exclusively do IPL-based tours. Some do it for content, some for business, and some purely for the love of the game.
They offer packages like:
- “Qualifier 1 Road Trip: Delhi to Chandigarh + Stadium Pass”
- “The Final Lap: Mumbai to Ahmedabad + Garba Night + IPL Final Ticket”
You get matched with fans of your team. You stay in the same hotels. You do breakfast debates on team strategy. It’s like going on a wedding trip, but for cricket.
And no, you don’t need to be a hardcore analyst. Even casual fans are welcome, because this is not about who knows the most about cricket.
It’s about who celebrates it best.
The Social Media Game Is Stronger Than Ever
You open Instagram, and you’ll find stories that look like:
- “Qualifier 2 Prep. Haircut ✅ Jersey ✅ Bus Ticket ✅”
- “Match day face paint tutorial while riding to Ahmedabad”
- “POV: You and 15 GT fans in one zingbus singing Shubman Gill’s name at 2 AM”
YouTube Shorts, Reels, this entire generation of fans is using IPL travel as content gold.
If you’re a creator, or even someone who likes posting every second pic on your Story, this is your moment.
You Don’t Even Need a Match Ticket
Here’s the thing. Not everyone going to playoff cities even enters the stadium.
A lot of them:
- Chill in cafes streaming the game
- Sit in fan zones set up around the city
- Watch together in lounges and pubs
- Join team-sponsored events or promo pop-ups
Because just being around the madness is enough.
When you’ve travelled 500 kilometres to be there, the energy rubs off anyway. You scream louder, cheer harder, and take home more stories.
Food, Friends, and Fanhood: A Vibe You Can’t Stream
You can stream the match on your phone. But you can’t stream:
- That paratha stop near Karnal where 10 strangers broke into a Kohli chant
- That late-night chai in Jaipur when the Eliminator went into the last over
- That group photo you clicked with 6 PBKS fans at the Bhopal lounge
These moments only happen when you go.
Tips for First-Time IPL RoadTrippers
If this is your first time planning a match trip with travel, here’s how to make it epic:
1. Book your bus early: Sleeper and premium seats get filled fast, especially on routes like Delhi-Chandigarh or Mumbai-Ahmedabad during match week.
2. Travel in groups: Not just for safety but for the fun of it. It’s cheaper, louder, and way more memorable.
3. Wear your colours: Jerseys, caps, face paint, even flags. Go all out. It sparks conversations and random bonding.
4. Keep a power bank handy: You’ll take a hundred pictures and videos. Make sure your phone survives.
5. Add a detour: Go a day early and check out a nearby place. IPL gives you a reason to explore cities you never planned to visit.
So… What’s the Real Match Here?
It’s not just GT vs RCB. Or MI vs PBKS.
It’s you vs the urge to sit at home again.
Because once you do one IPL playoff trip, you won’t go back. It becomes your thing. Your yearly ritual.
You’ll look forward to the trip. The stories. The strangers who became friends. And the roar of fans you’ve never met before.
Why zingbus Is the Fan Favourite This Season
Now, if you’re planning that road trip for the upcoming Qualifier or the big Final in Ahmedabad, here’s one name you’ll hear a lot: zingbus.
And there’s a reason for it.
zingbus isn’t just a booking app. It’s built for fans on the move. Here’s what sets it apart:
- 500+ cities connected, including all IPL playoff destinations like New Chandigarh and Ahmedabad
- AC sleeper, semi-sleeper, and luxury options that suit every budget and comfort level
- On-time guarantee or 50% refund if delayed by more than 45 mins, if you are a zingprime member.
- Zero cancellation charge once a month, because plans do change. (this comes along with zingprime membership)
- Travel insurance up to ₹7.5 lakhs included in every booking with zingprime
- Carbon-neutral rides for those who care about the planet
Whether you’re a hardcore RCB loyalist or a last-minute MI supporter, zingbus gives you a smooth, safe, and budget-friendly way to be part of the action.
So this IPL, don’t just watch the game.
Ride to it. Cheer louder. Travel smarter.
Because the road is calling, and it’s wearing your team’s jersey.
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