The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen a significant increase in its overall valuation, now exceeding Rs 158,000 crore, as reported by global investment bank Houlihan Lokey. This marks a 12.9% rise, bringing the IPL’s business value to USD 18.5 billion. The league’s brand value alone has grown by 13.8%, reaching USD 3.9 billion over the past year. This growth is attributed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) strategic sale of four associate sponsor slots—My11Circle, Angel One, RuPay, and CEAT—which collectively generated Rs 1,485 crore, reflecting a 25% increase from the previous cycle.

The IPL has also extended its title sponsorship with the Tata Group until 2028 through a five-year agreement valued at USD 300 million (approximately Rs 2,500 crore). This deal underscores the league’s expanding commercial appeal and its ability to attract substantial investment from major corporations.

In terms of franchise valuations, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged as the most valuable team following their championship win in 2025. RCB’s brand value soared to USD 269 million, up from USD 227 million last year. The Mumbai Indians secured the second spot with a brand value increase from USD 204 million in 2024 to USD 242 million this year. Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) slipped to third place with a brand value of USD 235 million. Notably, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) experienced the highest year-on-year growth among franchises, with a remarkable 39.6% increase in brand value compared to 2024.

The IPL’s popularity continues to rise, as evidenced by viewership statistics. The IPL 2025 final attracted over 67.8 crore views on Jio Hotstar, surpassing even the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match during the Champions Trophy 2025. According to Harsh Talikoti, Director of Financial and Valuation Advisory at Houlihan Lokey, “The IPL continues to set benchmarks in sports business. Franchise valuations have soared, media rights deals have reached record highs, and brand partnerships have diversified across sectors.”