The Indian Premier League (IPL) has recorded a 12.9% year-on-year growth in business valuation, reaching USD 18.5 billion (approximately Rs 1.56 trillion) in 2025, according to the latest brand valuation study released by global investment bank Houlihan Lokey. The league’s standalone brand value also saw a 13.8% rise, touching USD 3.9 billion (Rs 32,721 crore), driven by robust advertising revenues, record-breaking viewership, and growing investor interest.

RCB tops franchise rankings for the first time

The latest season brought a significant shift in franchise brand rankings. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged as the most valuable IPL team, buoyed by their maiden championship win in 2025. RCB’s brand valuation rose from USD 227 million in 2024 to USD 269 million, surpassing both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Mumbai Indians (MI) secured second place with a valuation of USD 242 million, up from USD 204 million the previous year. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), hurt by a poor season performance, slipped to third with a brand value of USD 235 million.

Among the other franchises, Punjab Kings (PBKS) recorded the highest year-on-year growth at 39.6%, with its valuation climbing to USD 141 million. The growth was attributed to their runner-up finish, an aggressive auction strategy, and increased digital engagement.

Sponsorships and ad revenues

The report noted a sharp increase in advertising and sponsorship revenues. Total ad revenue for IPL 2025 crossed USD 600 million (around Rs 5,000 crore), a 50% increase over the previous year. This spike was largely due to consolidated media rights, shorter and more interactive ad formats, and experimentation by brands across digital and television platforms.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also generated Rs 1,485 crore from the sale of four associate sponsorships to My11Circle, Angel One, RuPay, and CEAT, marking a 25% jump from the previous sponsorship cycle. Meanwhile, Tata Group renewed its title sponsorship in a five-year deal worth USD 300 million (Rs 2,500 crore), extending its association with the tournament until 2028.

Despite facing a temporary mid-season suspension due to regional tensions, IPL 2025 concluded with record-breaking viewership numbers. The opening weekend alone (March 22–24) logged 1.37 billion views on JioCinema, with 340 million concurrent viewers and 21.8 billion minutes of watch time. Star Sports reported 253 million unique television viewers, pushing the total cross-platform watch time to 49.5 billion minutes.

The final, played between RCB and PBKS on June 3, drew 678 million views, overtaking the India–Pakistan Champions Trophy clash earlier this year to become the most-watched T20 cricket match in history. With centralised media and sponsorship contracts guaranteeing income ahead of each season, franchises operate with relatively low capital risk. The BCCI’s management of stadium infrastructure and the salary cap of Rs 120 crore further help maintain cost efficiency across teams.

Growing global appeal

The league’s expanding international footprint was also highlighted, with several franchises now adopting a multi-league strategy. Punjab Kings, for instance, also own the Saint Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League and have invested heavily in a digital-first fan engagement model. The IPL’s future may include longer seasons and deeper monetisation opportunities, particularly as cricket eyes entry into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and following the success of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the United States.