Kolkata’s restaurants and bars appear to have found an unexpected business boost from FIFA World Cup replays. With many live matches airing too late at night for large in-person crowds, venues benefited by showing replays later in the day, attracting football fans at more convenient hours.
According to the report, restobars in the city saw sales rise by around 14% to 16% during this period. The shift suggests that while late-night kickoff times may have reduced live watch-party attendance, they did not weaken overall interest in the tournament. Instead, that demand moved into daytime and evening dining windows.
For hospitality businesses, the replay model seems to have helped convert sports interest into steady footfall. Fans who could not stay out late still had a reason to gather, watch key moments, and spend on food and drinks in a social setting.
The trend highlights how major global sporting events can reshape customer patterns for local venues. In this case, delayed screenings helped Kolkata restobars turn scheduling challenges into higher daytime traffic and stronger sales.
