Royal Challengers Bengaluru Surpasses Chennai Super Kings in Franchise Valuation!

In a stunning turn of events, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has surpassed Chennai Super Kings in franchise valuation, now valued at USD 269 million. This shift comes after a 17-year title drought ended for RCB. The overall valuation of the IPL has also seen a significant rise, reaching USD 3.9 billion. The report highlights the growing business potential of IPL franchises, with Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders following closely behind. Punjab Kings achieved remarkable growth, showcasing the evolving landscape of cricket as a lucrative business model. Explore the details of this exciting development in the world of cricket!

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 8, 2025, 21:09 IST

Mumbai: A New Era for IPL Valuations

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has seen a remarkable rise in its franchise valuation, now standing at USD 269 million, following the end of a 17-year title drought. This surge has allowed RCB to overtake the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the top position, according to a recent report.

The valuation of the Indian Premier League (IPL), overseen by the Board of Cricket Control India, has also experienced a significant increase of 13.8%, reaching USD 3.9 billion.

As a business entity, the IPL's overall value has climbed to USD 18.5 billion, marking a 12.9% rise.

The Mumbai Indians, owned by the Ambani family, have seen their valuation soar to USD 242 million, making them the second most valuable franchise.

Due to a less-than-stellar season, CSK, owned by N Srinivasan of India Cements, has dropped to third place with a valuation of USD 235 million, down from the top position last year.

Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders hold the fourth spot with a brand value of USD 227 million, while Sunrisers Hyderabad ranks fifth at USD 154 million.

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) achieved the most significant growth in 2025, with a 39.6% increase in valuation, reaching USD 141 million, largely attributed to their strong performance under new captain Shreyas Iyer.

PBKS Chief Executive Satish Menon emphasized the franchise's vision of operating as a scalable business model with diverse revenue streams and strong brand potential.

He stated, "We now function with the mindset of a media-sport brand, focusing on multiple revenue avenues, which is where true profitability lies," highlighting their commitment to building a sustainable sports business.

According to Harsh Talikoti, a director at the investment bank, franchise valuations have surged, media rights deals have reached unprecedented levels, and brand partnerships have expanded across various sectors.

The report also noted that the Tata Group has extended its title sponsorship until 2028 in a lucrative five-year deal worth USD 300 million, alongside a 25% increase in the sale of four associate sponsorship slots to My11Circle, Angel One, RuPay, and CEAT.