New Delhi: Digital engagement during the ICC Men’s World Cup 2026 has seen a significant uptick compared to the previous edition, according to data released by cricket-focused digital platform CREX.
The platform reported that total time spent during the India vs USA match — India’s opening fixture of the 2026 tournament — reached 186.3 million minutes. In comparison, India’s opening match in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2024, played against Ireland, had recorded 68.3 million minutes of total time spent on the platform.
The comparison highlights a substantial increase in fan engagement during the opening fixture window between the two tournaments.
Feature-level activity also witnessed notable growth. Within CREX’s “Matches” section, the head-to-head comparison feature recorded an 11% increase in visitors, while total time spent in this segment reached 53.73 million minutes, reflecting nearly 90% growth over the comparable opening-match period in 2024.
The data points to stronger second-screen behaviour during marquee fixtures, with fans increasingly turning to mobile platforms to analyse comparative statistics and match insights while watching live coverage.
Commenting on the consumption trends, Purushotam Rawat, CEO of CREX, said, “Global tournaments like the ICC Men’s World Cup significantly change how fans interact with the game. What we are seeing is not just higher traffic, but deeper engagement, particularly around comparative analysis and contextual match data. Fans today want more than live scores; they want insights that enhance their understanding of the game in real time.”
The platform’s analysis suggests that large-scale tournaments such as the ICC Men’s World Cup are amplifying second-screen consumption habits, with fans seeking deeper analytical engagement and contextual data alongside live broadcasts.
The growth in time spent and feature-level activity reflects a broader trend toward data-driven fandom, where mobile platforms increasingly complement traditional live viewing experiences.
The findings highlight how major sporting events are reshaping digital sports consumption patterns, with mobile platforms playing a central role in delivering analytics-led fan experiences during high-profile cricket tournaments.
