The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most lucrative sporting leagues in the world. Launched in 2008 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), it has become a global cricketing spectacle, generating billions in revenue every season. The IPL’s business model is a mix of broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, franchise fees, ticket sales, and various other income streams.
Let’s break down the IPL’s revenue model in detail.
1. Broadcasting Rights – The Biggest Revenue Stream
One of the largest sources of revenue for the IPL comes from broadcasting and digital streaming rights. Since cricket enjoys a massive following, companies pay astronomical sums to secure exclusive rights to broadcast the matches.
Broadcasting Rights Deals Over the Years
2008-2017: Sony Pictures Network held the TV rights for ₹8,200 crore ($1.03 billion).
2018-2022: Star India (Disney) acquired both TV and digital rights for ₹16,347.5 crore ($2.55 billion).
2023-2027: The latest deal was split between Disney Star (TV rights) and Viacom18 (digital rights), amounting to ₹48,390 crore ($6.2 billion).
Revenue Distribution from Broadcasting
BCCI receives a large portion of the revenue.
Franchises also get a share, ensuring their financial stability.
With the rise of digital platforms like JioCinema, the IPL’s streaming revenue has significantly increased, making it one of the richest leagues in the world.
2. Title Sponsorship & Central Sponsorships
Sponsorship is another major component of IPL’s revenue. Brands pay huge amounts to be associated with the league.
Title Sponsorship (Main IPL Sponsor)
Every few years, IPL auctions the title sponsorship, which has seen major corporate giants competing for branding rights.
DLF (2008-2012): ₹200 crore
Pepsi (2013-2015): ₹396 crore
Vivo (2016-2017, 2018-2021): ₹2,200 crore
Dream11 (2020 – one-year deal): ₹222 crore
Tata (2022-2023): ₹670 crore
Central Sponsorships
Apart from the title sponsor, IPL also secures multiple official sponsors (e.g., Swiggy, RuPay, CEAT, Upstox) and broadcast sponsors (e.g., CRED, Paytm, Dream11).
These sponsors collectively contribute around ₹1,000-1,500 crore every season.
The BCCI keeps a major portion, but franchises also receive a share.
3. Franchise Revenue Model
The 10 IPL teams also have their own revenue streams. Their earnings come from a mix of BCCI’s revenue share, sponsorship deals, ticket sales, and merchandise.
a) Central Revenue Pool (BCCI’s Share with Franchises)
50% of the broadcasting and sponsorship revenue is distributed among the franchises.
Teams like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders make huge profits from this pool.
b) Team Sponsorships
Each team signs its own sponsorship deals for jersey branding, associate partners, and merchandise sales.
Jersey Sponsorships: The team’s front, back, sleeve, and cap branding fetch huge sponsorships (e.g., Dream11, MPL, and Jio for various teams).
Principal Sponsors: Major brands sign multi-year deals with franchises.
c) Ticket Sales & Matchday Revenue
IPL teams earn from ticket sales, hospitality boxes, and in-stadium advertising.
On average, a franchise can generate ₹25-50 crore per season from ticket revenue.
d) Merchandise Sales
Official jerseys, caps, and team merchandise contribute a small but growing revenue source for teams.
4. Player Auctions & Transfer Fees
IPL franchises bid for players during annual auctions. While this does not generate direct revenue, it affects the league’s financial ecosystem.
The auction pool is funded by franchise owners, and BCCI takes a percentage of the auction proceeds.
Players also earn through brand endorsements, which contribute to the league’s commercial success.
5. Ticket Sales & Stadium Revenue
Stadium ticket sales are an important but smaller revenue stream compared to broadcasting and sponsorships.
A part of ticket sales goes to franchises, while a portion is shared with the BCCI and stadium authorities.
VIP seating, corporate boxes, and hospitality packages generate higher revenues.
6. Digital and OTT Revenue
With the rise of digital viewership, IPL has capitalized on online streaming platforms.
Viacom18’s JioCinema has free streaming in 2023-2027, but it earns from advertisements and premium features.
OTT partnerships help IPL expand its global audience and ad revenue.
7. Advertising & In-Stadium Promotions
Brands pay for advertisements during matches (between overs, on the boundary ropes, behind the stumps, etc.).
In-stadium promotions include LED boards, digital hoardings, and fan engagement activities.
Advertising revenue in IPL is massive, with brands spending ₹3,000-4,000 crore per season.
8. Fantasy Cricket & Gaming Revenue
With platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, MPL, and JioGames, IPL has tapped into the fantasy gaming market.
These platforms partner with IPL and advertise heavily during matches.
Fantasy gaming contributes ₹500-1,000 crore in sponsorship and ad revenue.
9. International Broadcasting & Licensing Deals
IPL is not just popular in India—it has a huge global audience.
International broadcasters (e.g., Sky Sports, Willow TV, SuperSport) pay for IPL rights.
The league also makes money through merchandising and licensing deals in foreign markets.
IPL vs Other Sports (NFL, EPL) Revenue & Valuation
| League | Sport | Total Revenue (Latest) | Revenue per Match | Valuation (Latest) |
| NFL (USA) | American Football | ~$18B (2023) | ~$120M | $132B |
| IPL (India) | Cricket | ~$1.4B (2023) | ~$15M | $11B |
| Premier League (England) | Football (Soccer) | ~$7.1B (2023) | ~$11M | $30B+ |
| MLB (USA) | Baseball | ~$10.8B (2023) | ~$11M | $50B+ |
| NBA (USA) | Basketball | ~$10B (2023) | ~$9M | $77.5B |
| La Liga (Spain) | Football (Soccer) | ~$5.1B (2023) | ~$8.5M | $25B+ |
🔹 IPL stands out because of its highest revenue per match (outside the NFL), making it a massive money-spinner in a short season.
2. Key Reasons Why IPL is So Valuable
✅ Media Rights Revenue
IPL 2023-27 cycle sold for $6.2 billion (Star + Viacom18), making it the second most valuable league on a per-match basis after the NFL.
✅ Short & Intense Season
Unlike other leagues that run for months, IPL delivers all its revenue in just two months.
✅ Massive Sponsorship & Global Reach
Over 400 million viewers per season.
Sponsorship deals exceed $300M per year
.
✅ Player Salaries & Auctions
IPL players earn more per match than footballers in the Premier League or La Liga.
The highest-paid IPL players make $2M+ per season (2 months), rivaling NBA stars on a per-game basis.
3. Where IPL Falls Short Compared to Other Leagues
Total Revenue Still Behind Big Leagues: The NFL, NBA, and Premier League generate much more total revenue due to larger seasons and markets.
Global Expansion: While IPL is big in India and among cricket fans, it hasn’t reached the global penetration of the NFL or EPL.
Franchise Valuations: Top IPL franchises (e.g., Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings) are valued at $1.5-2B, much lower than top NFL/NBA teams ($5-7B).
Final Verdict: IPL’s Place in the World
IPL is the richest cricket league by far, outpacing The Hundred, BBL, and PSL.
It ranks among the top leagues globally in per-match revenue, ahead of the EPL, NBA, and MLB.
If its growth continues, it could rival the top three leagues (NFL, NBA, EPL) in total revenue in the next decade.
Conclusion
The IPL’s revenue model is a combination of broadcasting rights, sponsorships, franchise earnings, ticket sales, advertising, and digital monetization.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Broadcasting deals contribute 50-60% of IPL’s revenue.
✅ Sponsorships & advertisements add another 30-35%.
✅ Franchises earn from sponsorships, tickets, and merchandise.
✅ OTT platforms & fantasy gaming are emerging revenue streams.
With the IPL’s brand value exceeding $10 billion, its revenue model remains a benchmark in the world of sports leagues.
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