The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has raised the financial stakes for sponsoring the national team as it begins the hunt for a new lead sponsor. Following the departure of the online gaming platform Dream11, the cricket board has increased the base price for the coveted sponsorship rights, signaling its confidence in the brand's high value. The move comes in the wake of new government regulations that have reshaped the landscape for online gaming, prompting the BCCI to seek a long-term partner under a revised and more stringent set of rules.
The updated pricing structure reflects a significant premium. The reserve price for bilateral matches has been increased to ₹3.5 crore per match, a notable jump from the previous rate of ₹3.17 crore. For major ICC and ACC tournaments, the price has been set at ₹1.5 crore, up from ₹1.12 crore. This difference in valuation is attributed to the varied brand visibility, with the lead sponsor's logo featuring prominently on the front of the jersey during bilateral series but restricted to the sleeves during multi-nation events.
The BCCI is looking to secure a partner for the next three years, a period that includes 130 international matches and marquee events like the T20 World Cup in 2026 and the ODI World Cup in 2027. Based on the revised rates, the board anticipates earning over ₹400 crore from the new deal.
The search for a new sponsor was triggered by the central government's new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which prohibits the operations of real-money gaming companies. This led to the exit of Dream11 and prompted the BCCI to issue a fresh "Invitation for Expression of Interest." In its new tender, the board has explicitly barred a wide range of industries from bidding, including online money gaming, betting, crypto, and tobacco brands, ensuring alignment with the new regulations and projecting a cleaner brand image.
· Price Hike: The BCCI has increased the base price for Team India's lead sponsorship rights, with bilateral matches now valued at ₹3.5 crore each.
· New Sponsor Search: The move follows the exit of previous sponsor Dream11, prompted by a new government act regulating online gaming.
· Lucrative Deal: The board is seeking a three-year deal expected to be worth over ₹400 crore, covering 130 matches and two World Cups.
· Stricter Rules: The BCCI has prohibited several brand categories from bidding, including online money gaming, betting, and crypto, to align with new regulations.
