Royal Challengers Bengaluru Ousts Chennai Super Kings as IPL's Most Valuable Franchise; League Valuation Soars to $18.5 Billion

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. A recent study by Houlihan Lokey, a global investment bank, reveals that the league's brand value has surged to US$18.5 billion, representing a 12.9% increase.

*Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrate their momentous IPL title win.*

The report indicates a significant shift in the IPL hierarchy. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), fresh off their championship victory, have emerged as the most valuable franchise, boasting a valuation of US$269 million. Furthermore, the IPL's standalone brand value has experienced a substantial 13.8% jump, reaching US$3.9 billion.

The IPL's growing commercial appeal is reflected in its lucrative sponsorship agreements. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secured ₹1,485 crores through the sale of four associate-sponsor slots, marking a 25% increase. Tata Group solidified its commitment by extending its title sponsorship through 2028 in a deal valued at US$300 million.

Viewership numbers soared to unprecedented levels in 2025. During the opening weekend, JioHotstar recorded a staggering 1,370 million views, with peak concurrent viewership reaching 340 million. Television viewership on Star Sports attracted 253 million unique viewers. The final match between RCB and Punjab Kings shattered previous records, amassing 67.8 crore views.

IPL Franchise Rankings

RCB's triumph propelled them to the top of the franchise rankings, ending their 17-year title drought. Mumbai Indians climbed to second place with a valuation of US$242 million, while defending champions Chennai Super Kings slipped to third at US$235 million. Punjab Kings recorded the highest growth rate at 39.6%.

Satish Menon, CEO of PBKS, emphasized the league's broader potential: "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).