India's sporting goldmine: IPL's value surges to $18.5, RCB becomes richest franchise

The Indian Premier League's valuation has soared to $18.5 billion, with RCB emerging as its most valuable franchise in a landmark year for the cricketing juggernaut.

It started in 2008 as a bold bet — cricket, but shorter, faster, flashier. Seventeen years later, the Indian Premier League isn’t just surviving; it’s booming. And now, a new valuation puts the IPL in an entirely different league. A recent report by US investment bank Houlihan Lokey pegs the IPL’s business worth at a staggering $18.5 billion. That’s not just a big number; it’s a signal of how cricket, particularly the Indian flavour of it, has morphed into a global business machine.

The league’s brand value alone has jumped to $3.9 billion, marking a sharp 13.8% rise in just one year. For fans, it’s a celebration. For investors and franchises, it’s a goldmine.

RCB: From Trophy Dreamers to Valuation Kings 

For years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru were a team that flattered to deceive. Big stars, big hype—but no silverware. That changed this year. They finally won their maiden IPL title — and now, they’ve got another reason to pop the champagne.

RCB has officially become the most valuable IPL franchise, with a brand value of $269 million. It’s a leapfrog over Mumbai Indians ($242 million) and Chennai Super Kings ($235 million), two teams with a history of titles and packed trophy cabinets.

And the timing couldn’t be better. With Virat Kohli still very much the face of the team, the brand has only grown stronger. Bengaluru isn’t just winning matches — it’s winning balance sheets.

“More Than Just Cricket” 

Anyone who’s seen an IPL match knows — this isn’t just cricket. It’s Bollywood, it’s fireworks, it’s influencers, it’s DJs, it’s memes. And the folks at Houlihan Lokey know it too.

In their report, the bank described the IPL as "a global phenomenon" that’s grown far beyond sport. Harsh Talikoti, from the firm, put it best: "The IPL continues to set benchmarks in sports business. Franchise valuations have soared, media rights deals have reached record highs, and brand partnerships have diversified across sectors."

And he’s right. The IPL now pulls in sponsors from tech, FMCG, crypto, fashion—you name it. Everyone wants a slice of the action.

"The league's ability to attract global investors and sponsors reflects its status as a premier sports property with enduring appeal."

IPL 2025: The Final That Broke the Internet

If you thought the IPL was big in stadiums, wait till you hear about your phone screens. The 2025 final between RCB and Punjab Kings wasn’t just a cricket match—it was a streaming earthquake.

Played at Ahmedabad’s colossal Narendra Modi Stadium, the match clocked 678 million views on JioHotstar. That’s not a typo. It even beat the numbers from the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy clash earlier this year.

In an era of digital attention spans and scattered eyeballs, the IPL is still managing to pull in record-breaking audiences. No other cricket property comes close.

IPL: More Than a League, It’s a Movement 

There’s something uniquely Indian about the IPL. The dancing, the music, the film stars sitting next to cricketing greats — it’s sport as only India can do it. Over the years, it’s also become the blueprint for other leagues across the country.

From kabaddi and badminton to even poker, the IPL has inspired a franchise revolution. Everyone wants to replicate its success, though few manage to crack the code.

And the players? They come from all over — Australia’s Pat Cummins, England’s Jos Buttler, and the very best of Indian domestic talent. For young cricketers, an IPL debut means instant stardom. For veterans, it’s a stage to stay relevant.

Fueling Dreams—and an Entire Economy 

Beyond the stadiums and glitz, the IPL is an economic engine. In 2020, it was estimated that the league pumped more than $11 billion into the Indian economy each year. From the chai vendor outside Wankhede to the ad agency in Mumbai planning million-dollar campaigns — the IPL touches everyone.

It’s cricket, yes. But it’s also employment, investment, ambition, entertainment. All packed into two months of power-hitting, last-over thrillers, and city pride.