MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) juggernaut stormed into 2025 with record-breaking viewership, blockbuster auctions, and soaring brand valuations—cementing its status as one of the world’s most valuable sporting properties.
According to Houlihan Lokey’s latest IPL Valuation Study, the business value of the league has surged to a staggering $18.5 billion—up 12.9 per cent year on year: in rupee terms that tots up to Rs 156,568 crore -a 16.1 per cent growth. Its brand value alone clocked in at $3.9 billion, a 13.8 per cent jump while in rupee terms it grew 16.1 per cent again to Rs 32,721 crore. The numbers reflect not only the league’s financial firepower but also its bulletproof commercial appeal amid global uncertainty.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally shed their “chokers” tag after 17 seasons to lift their maiden IPL trophy, catapulting them to the No. 1 brand spot with a valuation of $269 million. Virat Kohli’s on-field heroics and Rajat Patidar’s captaincy delivered a fairytale finish that sent digital viewership through the roof—JioHotstar recorded a peak of 678 million views during the final, eclipsing even the India–Pakistan ICC clash earlier this year.
Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) retained their spots in the top three, with brand values of $242 million and $235 million, respectively. While MI impressed with eight wins and Hardik Pandya’s smooth takeover as captain, CSK’s season was defined by MS Dhoni’s calm return to the helm amid injuries and a rebuilding phase.
The 2025 season also saw record media rights revenues, a $300 million extension of Tata Group’s title sponsorship till 2028, and mega-bucks player signings—Rishabh Pant fetched a record $3.19 million at the auction. The franchises spent a record 76 million (Rs 639.15 crore) on player acquisition. The BCCI sold four associate sponsor slots for Rs 1,485 crore, up 25 per cent from the previous cycle, while advertising revenues soared to an estimated $600 million—up 50 per cent YoY. The franchises spent a record 76 million (Rs 639.15 crore) on player acquisition.
Franchisees continued to ride high on asset-light models and predictable revenue streams. Top teams clocked Rs 6,500–7,000 million in annual revenue with over 80 per cent visibility secured pre-season, aided by front-loaded sponsorships and tight salary caps. The league’s capital-light structure and OTT-driven audience growth make it a poster child for high-yield sports investments.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings emerged as the fastest-growing brand in 2025, leaping to $141 million in value. With Shreyas Iyer as captain, and bold marketing campaigns like “Sarpanch Sahab” driving regional fandom, the franchise not only made it to the finals but also dominated digital chatter.
As cricket’s footprint grows beyond its traditional bastions—with the ICC Champions Trophy breaking global viewership records and the US hosting marquee events—the IPL remains the sport’s commercial and cultural vanguard. It’s no longer just a league; it’s a billion-dollar blueprint for the future of cricket.
MUMBAI: Indian cricket maestro and RCB long-timer Virat Kohli switched teams. The 36 year old has pulled the plug on his eight-year partnership with Puma, and has reportedly put his best foot forward to back Agilitas Sports, an Indian athleisure startup. The star batter, currently in red-hot form in IPL 2025, is now not just the face of Agilitas but also an investor, signalling a bold move to champion homegrown brands.
Agilitas was founded in 2023 by Abhishek Ganguly, Puma India’s former managing director. The brand has already made waves, securing long-term rights for Italian sportswear giant Lotto in India, Australia, and South Africa. Now, with Kohli on board, Agilitas is gearing up for a serious innings in the global sportswear arena.
Kohli’s split from Puma marks the end of a landmark Rs 110 crore deal that revolutionised Indian sports marketing. The partnership saw him lead multiple campaigns and launch the popular One8 line, a crucial driver in Puma’s rise in the Indian market.
Puma acknowledged the departure, thanking Kohli for an “outstanding journey filled with memorable campaigns and collaborations.” The brand vowed to continue investing in the next generation of athletes.
Meanwhile, Kohli remains focused on both his new business venture and his cricketing form. The RCB stalwart has racked up 180 runs in his last five IPL innings and is set to face Rajasthan Royals on 13 April.
Whether on the pitch or in the boardroom, Kohli continues to rewrite the game.
Mumbai: Boldfit, a brand specialising in premium fitness apparel, supplements, and equipment, proudly announces its exclusive partnership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the official fitness equipment partner for the upcoming season.
This partnership brings together two brands that are committed to excellence in fitness and performance. As the official fitness equipment partner, Boldfit will provide RCB players and fans alike, with state-of-the-art fitness equipment designed to enhance their training regimen and optimize performance on and off the field.
“We are thrilled to partner with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as their official fitness equipment partner,” said Pallav Bihani, CEO of Boldfit. “Based in Bengaluru, we at Boldfit are devout RCB fans, and it only made sense to partner with the team we’ve followed and admired since day one. We are excited to launch our exclusive RCB range, that we believe fans across the country will enjoy flaunting.”
Boldfit’s comprehensive range of fitness equipment includes high-quality resistance bands, yoga mats, bottles & shakers, and more, designed to help athletes improve strength, agility, and recovery.
The collaboration between Boldfit and RCB signals both organizations’ commitment to fostering a culture of fitness and performance excellence. Through this partnership, Boldfit aims to inspire athletes of all levels to pursue their fitness goals and unleash their full potential.
Mumbai: ITC Master Chef Creations, renowned for its delectable range of North Indian delicacies, is excited to announce its partnership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the ‘Official Gourmet Food Partner’ for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This partnership highlights the shared values of two powerpact brands, with RCB displaying moves on the field and ITC Master Chef Creations bringing exciting tastes beyond the game. This collaboration will once again provide a flavourful experience for everyone in Bengaluru.
Throughout this season, fans can look forward to an experience driven by ITC Master Chef Creations’ dedication to top-notch quality and authenticity. From Chole Kulche and Dabeli to Biryanis and Kebabs, the brand’s RCB Special menu is sure to tantalize taste buds. This time cricket fans can savour a menu featuring a variety of delightful dishes, whether its snack platters or refreshing Shikanji there’s a treat for everyone’s craving, during the matches.
Bringing the RCB enthusiasm outside the stadium, this season, ITC Master Chef Creations has introduced RCB Special Menu, to allow fans to savour their meals conveniently through the Swiggy app at home, guaranteeing they catch every epic moment of the match without any interruptions.
Speaking on the occasion, ITC Food – tech VP & business head Rohit Bhalla said, “We are delighted to return as the official Gourmet Food Partner for Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2024. This partnership continues to celebrate shared values of authenticity and a passion for creating unparalleled experiences during the match. We’re even more excited to offer an expanded menu with even more delicious options for fans and the added convenience of Swiggy delivery. Hope our collaboration continues to fuel the passion of RCB fans throughout the season.”
Mumbai: While the Women’s Premiere League reached great heights in shattering biases in the world of cricket, we saw Ellyse Perry of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) shatter not only stereotypes about women in the sport, but also the window of the title sponsor’s display car, the TATA.ev.
Perry’s sixer broke the car’s glass window on 4 March.
FCB Kinnect & Tata.ev decided to take this moment of brouhaha and turn it into a memorable triumph for the cricketer, by bestowing her with the ‘Perry Powerful Punch’ award – which also carried the date on which she broke the glass.
What’s special about this award is that it was carefully crafted with the shattered glass of the very window that Perry broke.
The internet was in awe of the gesture by the brand, which made headlines in several sports and other publications.
Taking to social media, the brand said, “You did what every kid playing cricket on the streets, dodging parked cars, dreams of doing but never actually dares. Breaking that display car wasn’t just a jaw-dropping moment; it was a sweet, sweet nod to the mischievous joy hidden in the heart of every cricket lover. Cheers to you, the window-breaking warrior of the #TATAWPL 2024!”
Tata.ev encouraged Perry to never break her spirit for anything, and especially not over broken glass.
FCB Kinnect national creative director Kartikeya Tiwari said, “Contemporary brands are built as much on unplanned moments, as on planned ones. The WPL is bigger than just a cricket tournament – it’s a celebration of resilience and talent. This incident was the perfect epitome of how women in India are shattering the glass ceiling. We simply wanted to immortalise this by giving Perry her flowers and not taking the genuineness out of this moment.”
Mumbai: Following the resounding success of its association with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 League that embraced beauty positivity, leading Wellness brand, Himalaya Wellness, is proud to announce its continued partnership with the team for the ongoing season. This year, with the #TakeMySPOT campaign, the focus shifts to celebrating their hard-earned spots and achievements on the field. Through this quirky campaign Himalaya, in collaboration with 82.5 Communications, acknowledges that while no one can take these well-deserved spots, for the unwanted spots on the face, Himalaya Dark Spot is Clearing Turmeric Face Wash and Face Care Range.
As an extension of the #TakeMySPOT campaign, Himalaya is also breaking new ground by teaming up with the GoEqual Premier League, to celebrate women’s rightful spot in the realm of football. This thrilling collaboration isn’t just about scoring goals; it’s about breaking away gender stereotypes to level the playing field. By investing in grassroots football programs and engaging with local communities, schools, and professional teams to promote football, Himalaya aims to provide the much-deserved SPOT for every woman who dreams of being a part of this sport.
The new campaign, for Himalaya’s latest offering, the Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash #TakeMySPOT, carries a very powerful message. Just like the RCB players who fight relentlessly to secure their positions on the cricket pitch, women across all walks of life have diligently carved their own spaces and earned their rightful place. While women strive hard to earn their spots, the Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash & Face Care Range effortlessly tackles unwanted spots on the face. The turmeric face care range harnesses the power of organically sourced turmeric that is extracted using the time-tested Ayurvedic method called Svarasa.
Unfolding in two phases, the campaign cleverly used the concept of “spot” with a playful twist. The teaser phase, launched during the first RCB match, saw players sporting #TakeMySPOT on their caps, leaving viewers curious while sparking social conversations. A video featuring RCB star cricketers Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Shreyanka Patil alongside content creator Danish Sait who added a layer of humour into the video with his witty take on the “spot” theme kept the audience guessing. This effectively amplified the campaign’s message making the teaser hashtag #TakeMySpot trend no1 on Twitter during RCB’s first match. To build further excitement, the brand utilised a 360-degree strategy across radio, social media, outdoor advertising, and YouTube.
In the second phase of the campaign, the brand wittingly revealed that the spots reference was to the unwanted spots on the face that Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash & Face Care Range can effectively remove. This impactful reveal seamlessly tied the campaign’s message to the brand. With this campaign, Himalaya celebrates the unwavering spirit of women who have fought hard to claim their rightful positions—on the field and in life. It reminds everyone that while no one can remove their hard-earned spots, Himalaya can help tackle those unwanted spots on their faces. The campaign sustained its clever utilisation of the “spot” concept through a series of videos featuring cheeky interactions between Danish and RCB’s star cricketers. The brand’s association was revealed on 29th February, with a change in the RCB players’ cap messages. The mystery finally resolving itself created excitement amongst the RCB fans, causing it to trend on Twitter again on the no1 position.
For more than 90 years, Himalaya Wellness Company has been a leader in bringing Wellness to every Home and Happiness in every Heart.
Himalaya Wellness Company business director Rajesh Krishnamurthy expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “The success of our partnership with the Women’s Premier League in 2023 inspired us to continue our association in this year’s edition. Along with the cricketers, we’re thrilled to bring the excitement of Danish Sait’s collaboration to the #TakeMySPOT campaign, adding a layer of humour and intrigue as we tackle the topic of stubborn spots with our new Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash and Face Care Range.
“We’re thrilled to see the incredible response to the #TakeMySPOT campaign teaser, which trended at Number 1 on Twitter on day 1 of RCB’s match and the reveal trending at no1 on the 29 of February! We’re confident that this year’s partnership, much like last year, will not only generate excitement around the product but also continue to solidify our connection with the women’s T20 league audience,” said Ragini Hariharan, Marketing Director of Personal Care & Hygiene at Himalaya. “We’re proud to introduce this face wash and face care range, formulated using a unique cold-pressed extraction technology called Svarasa that preserves the essential components of turmeric. This research-backed formula empowers our consumers to tackle dark spots and achieve healthy, radiant skin.”
Speaking on the occasion, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vice president and head Rajesh Menon said, “We are glad to extend our partnership with Himalaya as we get into the second season. Both the brands share the same core values of inclusivity and diversity and care for the causes that matter to impact the society positively.”
The new Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash is made by harnessing the power of organically sourced turmeric extracted using the advanced Ayurvedic Svarasa Technique, which preserves its natural goodness. The non-staining formula helps you get bright, healthy, and radiant skin.
Face Wash category manager Gayatri Kabilan added, “This innovation marks Himalaya’s greater initiative towards tackling the growing problem of dark spots caused by sun exposure, acne scars, and previously overlooked concerns. While overcoming spots, we’ve also taken steps to care for the environment as the face wash comes in a fully recyclable and environmentally conscious tube.”
82.5 Communications CCO Mayur Varma expressed his excitement, stating, “We’re thrilled to unveil this campaign featuring the talented trio—Smriti Mandhana, Shreyanka Patil, Richa Ghosh—alongside the popular comic, Danish Sait. We are hopeful that the campaign’s fun-filled vibe will resonate with RCB fans and Himalaya users alike.”
82.5 Communications – South, executive vice president & branch head Naveen Raman added, “This collaboration is a game-changer. Bringing together RCB’s passionate fan base and Himalaya’s commitment to skincare, we’re proud to be a part of this winning partnership.”
Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) found the right balance with their well thought out acquisitions at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 Player Auction held in Mumbai on Saturday.
RCB’s seven bids to fill the vacant spots and form a bold squad for the upcoming season were the result of extensive planning and strategy by the proficient backroom staff — which includes head coach Luke Williams, assistant head coach and head of scouting Malolan Rangarajan — with some crucial tactical inputs from skipper Smriti Mandhana.
Mandhana expressed her delight over auction picks and said the planning for the auction began after the first season only and they were keen to focus more on experienced bowlers who have bowled in Indian conditions.
The team secured one of the country’s most experienced spinners and Khel Ratna awardee Ekta Bisht (₹60 lakh), who is first Indian woman to take a hat-trick in the T20 Internationals. They further added pace into their attack by picking England’s Kate Cross (₹30 lakh) and young Indian all-rounder Simran Bahadur (₹30 lakh).
As part of RCB’s commitment to provide a platform for local young talents, they picked a promising domestic all-rounder Shubha Satheesh (₹10 lakh) from Bengaluru before adding 2016 Women’s Asia Cup-winner S Meghana (₹30 lakh) into the squad. Australian spin all-rounders Georgia Wareham (₹40 lakh) and Sophie Molineux (₹30 lakh) were the other two foreign acquisitions of the franchise to complete a strong 18-member squad.
Talking about the auction and the selection of players, RCB, head & VP Rajesh V Menon said, “There are no shortcuts to building a team. You make the foundation brick by brick every season. We had lots of learnings from last year, and our main objective was to take those learnings into the auction, plug those gaps, and build a squad that would give us outstanding balance and flexibility to play in any conditions”
RCB, known for its Play Bold philosophy, not only snatched players who are good with the ball, but also those who are skilful with the bat as well.
“Bowling is definitely very important in T20s and a good bowling side wins you competition and this year we were looking to strengthen our spin unit and also look for overseas pacers who can complement Renuka [Singh] well. We have Kate Cross now and I think she will complement Renuka well in the power play with both swinging the other way. And with Molineux and Wareham, the bowling looks very experienced. Plus we have the likes of Shreyanka [Patil] and also [Sophie] Devine and [Ellyse] Perry,” said Mandhana.
Further explaining RCB’s approach and strategy behind the auction, the assistant head coach and head of scouting, Malolan said: “One of the things RCB did really well is to have strong Indian domestic core in Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Renuka Singh, Kanika Ahuja and Shreyanka Patil, who form potentially your top five starters in the playing eleven, we have of a very good Indian core. Now, you add to that Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry and Heather Knight, you have one half of the puzzle already sorted. We had a very focused approach to our auction as to how we can better this team with the options available out there. Our focus was to get a well-balanced bowling unit which can perform under any conditions we may encounter.”
Mumbai: Global stakeholders from the world of football expressed their optimism regarding the emergence of India as a rising sporting market at the RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India on 29 November in Bengaluru.
Nic Coward who is the former general secretary of the Premier League and CEO of UK Athletics is one of the few global football experts at the country’s first-of-its-kind summit promises to offer a panoramic view of the present and future of the sports industry, advocating and providing insights into the transformative elements that are propelling India into a new era of sporting excellence and business innovation.
Talking about the economically burgeoning sporting industry of India, Coward stated, “This (India) is the single greatest sports growth economy story anywhere in the world and will be for a considerable period of time. I think one of the great advantages that (India) has is that a lot of this entrepreneurial spirit can go from an idea through to execution pretty quickly. ISL doing what they did in order to grow and to develop created a compelling entertainment product. As things have progressed, there can now be greater coming together of an entire ecosystem.”
By bringing together titans from the international sporting world, RCB Innovation Lab starting with the Leader’s Meet: India is creating a participative platform where influential dialogues and the exchange of innovative ideas become center stage.
The Premier League enjoys a substantial fan base in India with interest growing especially among the emerging middle class in the country. The average age of an adult Premier League fan in India is 34.5 years while 39% are aged 25-34.
Will Brass the Chief Commercial Officer of the English Premier League citing Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as a key figure in expanding the popularity of Premier League in India said, “Ranveer Singh has been really critical for us in understanding the market. We have been working with him since 2017. He is an authentic fan of the game, an authentic fan of the league, and has delivered a great deal, growing the India-specific social media audiences that we have via the PLO India, social tags here.”
According to a YouGov survey last year, India enjoys a total of 160 million football enthusiasts. Italy’s 2006 FIFA World Cup champion Alessandro Del Piero who has enthralled the passionate footballing fans of India during his stint at Delhi Dynamos also shared his thoughts on how India can become a football powerhouse at the event.
“In order to become better, you definitely need to start from the grassroots. If you want to create something big and long-term with real value, you need to invest in facilities and the teams and, of course in coaches. Grassroots is the key, to everything because children learn so fast and much better than us. If you build the academies then you can teach them the right things because talent is everywhere, in India and in every country in the world,” said Mr. Alessandro Del Piero.
All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey, who was also part of the RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India, on the first day spoke about the growth market of Indian football, “India has opportunity business-wise because we have 1/6 population in this world and also the largest population. I have spoken with FIFA several times and the President of FIFA and myself, are on the same page that India has huge potential to develop.”
RCB Innovation Lab Leaders Meet: India will conclude on 30 November.
Mumbai: Electric scooters manufacturer Batt:RE has announced its partnership with the T20 team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as its official ‘EV partner’ for the ongoing 2022 season. The association will include a distribution of signed team merchandise and memorabilia along with jerseys and bats, it said on Tuesday.
“Royal Challengers Bangalore has garnered a lineage of cricket enthusiasts from every demographic who have become a part of the RCB family,” said Batt:RE founder and director Nishchal Chaudhary. “Our vision is to foster relations with the brand while building a rapport with their fans by conveying the message of a greener tomorrow. Through this strategic partnership, we hope to widen our horizons to a larger discerning audience who share our passion for cleaner mobility.”
“An exciting lottery draw will be held wherein Batt:RE customers stand a chance to win exciting goodies. In addition to this, the association between Batt:RE and RCB presence will be felt in official communications through print and digital mediums. The partnership will also feature the Batt:RE logo on all sponsor panels, the official RCB website, and their team bus and car,” said the company in a statement.
“We are delighted to partner with Batt:RE in their efforts towards driving a positive environmental impact. RCB has always been a conscious brand about the environment and sustainability and is proud to collaborate with brands who share the same ethos,” commented Royal Challengers Bangalore VP and head Rajesh Menon.
Mumbai: The fintech startup KreditBee has joined hands with IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as its official digital partner for this season. The brand has also rolled out its first-ever marketing campaign – ‘Loans Anytime, Anywhere’ to highlight the convenience of availing loans using its app. The campaign will run till the IPL final on 29 May.
The campaign highlights the convenience of available instant loans from KreditBee’s application which allows a loan up to Rs three lakh with ‘no effort.’ The campaign targets the Indian middle class, especially people above 22, across India. The campaign talks about the mobile-first disbursal process which takes only up to 10 minutes.
As a part of this campaign, KreditBee has also launched an ad film that highlights that life is unpredictable and one never knows when they might need funds. The ad film tells that people in such situations can simply download the KreditBee app and get instant loans ‘anytime, anywhere.’
The multimedia campaign will be promoted across various media platforms such as OTT, digital and social media. “KreditBee aims to reach out to target segments in metros and big cities and with social media, they are specifically targeting audiences in tier-2 and 3 towns,” said the statement.
KreditBee chief marketing officer Ishan Bose said they are delighted to launch our first brand campaign which is aimed to educate the young Indian middle class on how they can meet their aspirations by availing loans instantly. “At KreditBee, we are focused on understanding our consumers and their personal finance needs. This campaign gives us an opportunity to kickstart our audience engagement from a brand awareness standpoint and highlight our value proposition of being ‘the friend indeed’ in tough times, be it for occasions, events or emergencies,” Bose added.
