RCB Ousts CSK as IPL's Most Valuable Team; League's Brand Value Surges to $18.5 Billion Amidst Record Viewership

Tuesday - 08/07/2025 04:05

Houlihan Lokey's study reveals the IPL's brand value surged to US$18.5 billion, a 12.9% increase, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru becoming the most valuable franchise at US$269 million after their title win. Sponsorship deals and viewership numbers have also reached new heights, exemplified by the BCCI's associate-sponsor slots sale and Tata Group's title sponsorship extension.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) continues its ascent as a global sporting powerhouse, with its brand value soaring to US$18.5 billion, according to a recent study by Houlihan Lokey. This represents a significant 12.9% increase, underscoring the league's enduring popularity and commercial success.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru bask in the glory of their inaugural IPL triumph.

The report highlights a change in leadership among the franchises, with the newly crowned champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), now holding the title of the most valuable team at US$269 million. The IPL's standalone brand value has also experienced robust growth, jumping 13.8% to reach US$3.9 billion.

The league's financial health is further bolstered by lucrative sponsorship deals. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secured ₹1,485 crores from the sale of four associate-sponsor slots, marking a substantial 25% increase. In addition, the Tata Group solidified its commitment to the IPL by extending its title sponsorship through 2028 in a deal valued at US$300 million.

Viewership numbers for the 2025 season reached unprecedented levels. During the opening weekend, JioHotstar reported a staggering 1,370 million views, with a peak of 340 million concurrent viewers. TV viewership on Star Sports attracted 253 million unique viewers. The final match between RCB and Punjab Kings shattered previous records, amassing an impressive 67.8 crore views.

In terms of franchise rankings, RCB's historic title win after 17 years propelled them to the top. Mumbai Indians climbed to second place with a valuation of US$242 million, while the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, slipped to third at US$235 million. Punjab Kings recorded the highest growth among all teams, with a remarkable 39.6% increase in brand value.

Satish Menon, CEO of Punjab Kings, emphasized the IPL's potential beyond the realm of cricket: "From day one, we saw IPL as more than a cricket league—it was a scalable business model with high visibility, secure revenue streams, and strong brand-building potential."

The valuations of the remaining teams are as follows: Kolkata Knight Riders (US$227 million), Sunrisers Hyderabad (US$154 million), Delhi Capitals (US$152 million), Rajasthan Royals (US$146 million), Gujarat Titans (US$142 million), Punjab Kings (US$141 million), and Lucknow Super Giants (US$122 million).