The BCCI jersey sponsorship race is back on, and the board has raised the stakes. With Dream11 stepping aside, the base price for India’s jersey space has been bumped up to ₹3.5 crore per bilateral game and ₹1.5 crore for multilateral fixtures.
It’s a clear jump from the earlier numbers — ₹3.17 crore for bilateral and ₹1.12 crore for multilateral. Not a massive hike, but enough to signal that BCCI wants more value for the most-watched team in the sport.
Why Bilaterals Cost More
The logic is simple: visibility. In bilaterals, the sponsor’s name sits bang on the chest, front and centre on TV screens. During ICC and ACC events, that space is reserved, and sponsors get the sleeve, less airtime, and less money.
What’s on the Table
The new deal will run for three years, covering roughly 130 matches. That includes two big-ticket events — the T20 World Cup in 2026 and the ODI World Cup in 2027. At the base price, BCCI is already looking at a payout north of ₹400 crore. With competition, the number could climb well higher.
No Quick-Fix Before Asia Cup
The tender opens on September 16, which rules out a sponsor swap before the Asia Cup kicks off on September 9. Board officials have already brushed aside talk of a stopgap arrangement.
Who’s Out of the Race
The EOI document makes it clear: betting, crypto, gaming, and tobacco brands can’t bid. The same goes for banks, sportswear, insurance, and even cold drink makers, because of conflicts with existing partners. That narrows the field but keeps the playing ground clean for new entrants.
Why Dream11 Walked Away
Dream11’s exit wasn’t about cricket — it was about law. India’s new Online Gaming Act (2025) bans real-money gaming, hitting the fantasy giant right at its core. With no room to justify a high-value cricket deal, they chose to step aside, leaving the slot wide open.
What Next
Over the next few weeks, we’ll find out which brand is willing to pay top dollar for the prime space on India’s jersey. With two World Cups and a packed schedule coming up, the BCCI jersey sponsorship could end up being one of the most valuable deals in world sport.
As cricket fans gear up for the Asia Cup 2025 and beyond, the business side of the game is also heating up — and the new sponsorship deal will play a major role in shaping cricket’s commercial landscape in the years ahead.