Gig Workers Shine as MVPs Off the Field in ICC T20 World Cup

The ICC T20 World Cup has catalyzed significant growth in gig and temporary employment in host cities. This employment surge spans multiple sectors such as hospitality, food and beverage, and event management, as noted by staffing firms and job platforms.

Increased Hiring for the T20 World Cup

Yeshab Giri, the Chief Commercial Officer at Randstad India, emphasized that this year’s demand for gig workers is unprecedented. Roles in high demand include:

• Gate ushers
• Crowd stewards
• Food and beverage kiosk staff
• Premium hospitality servers
• Logistics runners

Randstad predicts that the Cricket World Cup may generate between 120,000 and 150,000 temporary positions nationally. Each match day is expected to require 1,500 to 2,500 gig workers.

Event Details

This year’s tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will run from February 7 to March 8. Matches will take place in five Indian cities:

• Delhi
• Ahemdabad
• Kolkata
• Mumbai
• Chennai

In addition, three venues in Sri Lanka will host games during the tournament.

Local Demand Trends

Delhi and Mumbai are currently the key cities for corporate hospitality and VIP servicing. Hiring trends have seen a noticeable uptick since November, according to Kartik Narayan, CEO of Apna.co. The focus is particularly on sectors such as:

• Restaurant
• Hospitality
• Tourism
• Delivery logistics

Data from Apna shows that wages for entry-level positions have risen sharply in cities hosting T20 matches, particularly in Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi. Minimum earnings have been increasing, even as wages for delivery and logistics roles have softened since the previous festive season.

Labor Market Challenges

Persistent labor churn has emerged as a significant challenge, with attrition rates in the delivery and logistics sectors reaching as high as 40% per month. This has put additional pressure on the workforce supply.

Projected Gig Workforce Demand

ManpowerGroup estimates an overall demand of over 15,000 to 18,000 gig workers in the cities hosting the tournament. Most of this hiring will focus on stadium operations and food and beverage services, according to Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director for India and the Middle East at ManpowerGroup. These positions are typically middle-income roles, offering monthly wages between ₹50,000 and ₹75,000 throughout the tournament.

Preparing for Future Events

Organizations are adapting to these labor demands. Aditya Mishra, CEO of CIEL HR Services, noted that entry-level and frontline manpower needs will rise by 10-20% during the T20 World Cup. The creation of a gig workforce model—featuring pre-vetted talent pools, faster onboarding, and dynamic pay—has become essential for managing the demands of large events.

Data from Naukri indicates a sharp rise in open roles in hospitality and food service due to event-driven demand. Key openings include positions in:

• Housekeeping
• Kitchen and food production
• Front office and guest services
• Food and beverage services

As the ICC T20 World Cup approaches, the emphasis on gig workers highlights their crucial role off the field in supporting the success of this prestigious event.