Ahmedabad Metro continued operations until 2:19 a.m. following the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with a significant increase in late-night passenger traffic totaling close to two lakh journeys in a single day. The Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) reported 1,95,868 passenger journeys on May 31, the day of the IPL final, showing a 66% rise from the previous week’s 1,17,939 journeys on May 24. The surge was driven by the high number of spectators using the metro network for the final between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera.
Tens of thousands of spectators relied on the metro network before and after the high-profile final, leading to the extension of metro services beyond the initially announced time. GMRC stated that services were extended until 2:19 a.m. to accommodate the passenger demand after the game. To manage the increased rush, the corporation operated 62 additional metro train services beyond the regular schedule. The last train from Motera Metro Station towards APMC departed at 2:19 a.m., with the final train from Old High Court Metro Station departing at 2:45 a.m., considering East-West Corridor connectivity.
On May 31, Phase 1 of the metro recorded 1,77,106 passenger journeys, while Phase 2 accounted for 18,762 journeys. This marked a significant increase from the figures on May 24, which were 1,03,545 and 14,394, respectively. The extended metro operations were a response to the packed IPL final where Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans. Bengaluru achieved the target of 156 runs, reaching 161 for five in 18 overs, with Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 off 42 balls playing a crucial role.
