As the cricket season grips Bengaluru, weekends in the city are no longer just about catching up over drinks or casual dining. The city’s venues are transforming into buzzing mini stadiums, where fans gather in jerseys, wave flags, and cheer in unison for the home team. With giant screens, themed experiences and lively crowds, match screenings have become the go-to weekend plan. From open-air brewery lawns to cosy café corners, these spaces recreate the thrill of a live game — minus the long queues, packed stands and rising temperatures. “The closest you can get to a stadium without actually being there is a match screening,” says Rishab Vinay Malde, a regular at such venues. “The energy is unreal — there’s a host, music, cheering — and suddenly even strangers feel like friends because you’re all supporting the same team.” He adds that the freedom to celebrate makes a difference. “You can stand, dance, cheer — it’s like a party. In a stadium, you’re more restricted to your seat. Here, the vibe is more relaxed and fun.”
For those who can’t make it to the stadium, live match screenings are the next best thing
– Krishnapriya Bannerjee, marketing head, city brewery
A stadium feel, minus the chaosFor many venues, the spike in footfall during match weekends is hard to miss. “Especially on days when the Bengaluru team is playing, the crowd is immense,” says Krishnapriya Bannerjee, marketing head of a city brewery. “We’ve set up a huge screen on the lawn, so it feels like a stadium — open air, pleasant evenings, and a large crowd watching together,” she says. While she believes the stadium experience remains unmatched, she points out that screenings offer a more relaxed alternative. “Here, you’re seated comfortably, with food and beverages at hand, and you don’t have to deal with queues or logistics. For those who can’t make it to the stadium, this is the next best thing,” she adds.
You can stand, dance and cheer for your team; it’s just like a party. In a stadium, you’re more restricted to your seat. Here, the vibe is more relaxed and fun
Rishab Malde, a regular at live screenings
A menu crafted especially for the match-day vibesBeyond just big screens, venues are going all out to create an immersive experience. “We’ve built a full stadium-like atmosphere — a massive screen, team jerseys on sale, flags for fans, and DJs playing music after every boundary or wicket,” says Keshavan V S, general manager of a brewery in the city. He adds, “We’ve also curated a special menu for the cricket season, with beverages inspired by each team, some even served with popcorn on top. It’s about combining the fun of watching cricket with a unique dining experience.”Private screenings, personalised funNot all match screenings revolve around large crowds. Some cafés are tapping into a more intimate format — private screenings for groups of friends. “At our café, people can pre-book a private room for match screenings,” says Shruty Anil, a café owner, adding, “If they want it exclusively, we charge a small hourly fee. Otherwise, they can simply order food and watch with others.” This flexibility has boosted both footfall and sales. “People tend to stay longer and order more, especially when they’re watching in groups. We’ve even extended our café timings on match days,” she says.
People tend to stay longer and order more, especially when they’re watching in groups
Shruty Anil, a café owner
Why fans are choosing screenings over stadiums – Comfort and convenience: No long queues, easy seating, and easy access to food and drinks– Affordability: Easier on the pocket than match tickets– Group experience: Space to gather with friends and family, celebrate, and even move around freely– Immersive vibe: DJs, cheering crowds, and themed elements recreate stadium energy– Flexibility: Options like private screenings or casual walk-ins to choose from
