Outlook Business Desk
The Indian Premier League’s (IPL) business valuation rose by 12.9% in 2025 to $18.5 billion (₹1.56 trillion), cementing its status as a global sporting powerhouse. According to Houlihan Lokey, a global investment bank and financial advisory firm, its standalone brand value also increased by 13.8% to $3.9 billion (₹32,721 crore), driven by record viewership and strong advertising growth.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) became the most valuable IPL team following their maiden title win, with the franchise’s brand value rising to $269 million from $227 million. Mumbai Indians (MI) secured the second place at $242 million, while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) dropped to third spot at $235 million valuation after finishing the season at the bottom of the league table.
Punjab Kings (PBSKS) recorded the highest growth among all the IPL teams, with their brand value soaring 39.6% to $141 million. Their runner-up finish, bold auction picks, and impactful digital campaigns fuelled the sharp rise.
Houlihan Lokey’s report describes the IPL as a rare sporting asset, offering steady cash flows and low operating costs. Centralised media deals and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)-managed stadiums keep team overheads minimal, while a ₹120 crore salary cap helps ensure strong returns on investment.
This year, advertising revenue for the league reached $600 million (₹5,000 crore), marking a 50% increase from 2024. The BCCI’s associate sponsorships with My11Circle, Angel One, RuPay, and CEAT Tyres generated ₹1,485 crore, while Tata renewed its title sponsorship through 2028 in a $300 million (₹2,500 crore) deal.
Despite a brief mid-season pause, IPL 2025 set new viewership records. JioHotstar logged 1.37 billion views and 340 million peak concurrent viewers, while Star Sports attracted 253 million television viewers. Total watch time across platforms reached 49.5 billion minutes.
Houlihan Lokey highlights the IPL’s emergence as a global sports media asset. Overseas investor interest is rising, with franchises such as Punjab Kings (PBKS) adopting multi-league models—owning teams like the Saint Lucia Kings, which play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL)—and focusing on digital-first strategies to strengthen global fan engagement.
With cricket set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the success of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the US, the IPL is well positioned to lead the sport’s global expansion. The report also suggests that longer IPL seasons may be on the horizon, creating greater opportunities for monetisation and sponsor engagement.
While facing challenges like salary inflation, digital fatigue and market saturation persist, the IPL continues to stand out globally for its mass appeal, scalable franchises and structured monetisation, said Houlihan Lokey.