The Indian Premier League (IPL) has long been cricket’s biggest commercial machine, but 2025 has shown just how deep that engine now runs. For the first time in sports history, IPL franchises clocked in a revenue of over a thousand crore (INR) with just team sponsors.
2025 was a year that saw a huge dip in investments due to regulatory curbs on Real Money Gaming (RMG). However, franchises closed the IPL 2025 with the highest revenue from sponsorships before the RMG ban kicked in. The IPL 2025 saw sponsors from Real Money Gaming platform as it was banned in August 2025. The entire IPL season was over by then.
According to the Sporting Nation 2025 report by WPP Media, IPL franchises collectively crossed the INR 1000 crore mark in team sponsorship revenue for the first time in the year 2025. That figure of INR 1,033 crore is a statement about where the league stands in the global sports economy. Now, with no RGM investments, it remains to be seen if the league will further grow or the stocks will go down.
IPL sponsorship boom led by MI, CSK and RCB
The headline number is impressive, but the real story lies in how it is distributed.
Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continue to sit in a league of their own commercially, each reportedly generating close to INR 150 crore annually through team sponsorships. Their brand value, fanbase and consistent visibility make them premium properties for advertisers. RCB’s value shot up after they won the IPL 2025 as well. CSK and MI have the joint-most (5) titles anyway.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) form the next tier, while the rest of the teams contribute to the overall INR 1033 crore pool. What stands out this year is the change in sponsorship dynamics. With RMG brands stepping back due to regulatory pressure, traditional sectors have filled the gap. Auto, cement, real estate and tech companies have stepped in, often at higher valuations.
As WPP Media noted in its report, the growth is now being driven by “premiumisation rather than volume.” In simple terms, fewer deals, but bigger money.
Vinit Karnik, Managing Director at WPP Media, summed it up clearly while speaking to Hindustan Times: “IPL is not just big, it is the backbone of Indian sports commerce. It goes to show, if there is an aggregated audience for an impact property, the traditional sponsors or new sponsors are ready to step up.”
Overall sports sponsorship in India touched INR 7,949 crore in 2025, with cricket alone accounting for the bulk of it. Cricket accumulated INR 6750 crore in revenue through sponsorships.
How IPL franchises actually make their money?
While sponsorship headlines grab attention, they are just one part of a much larger revenue ecosystem.
| Revenue Stream | Contribution | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Central Revenue Pool | 75–80% | Includes media rights and central sponsorships shared by BCCI |
| Media Rights Share | 60–70% | Each team earns roughly ₹400–₹540 crore annually |
| Team Sponsorships | 10–20% | Jersey deals, digital campaigns; top teams earn ₹150 crore+ |
| Matchday Revenue | ~10% | Ticket sales, in-stadium spending |
| Merchandising & Others | Variable | Jerseys, fan gear, prize money |
