IPL Brand Value Drops for Second Successive Year — Ban on Online Gaming and Media Consolidation to Blame
The Indian Premier League (IPL), widely recognized as the richest and most glamorous T20 franchise league in the world, has suffered a significant dip in its brand value for the second year in a row. According to the latest D&P Advisory report titled “Beyond 22 Yards – The Power of Platforms, The Price of Regulation,” the league’s overall brand valuation has dropped by 11 percent, sliding to ₹76,100 crore in 2025 from ₹82,700 crore in 2024 and ₹92,500 crore in 2023.
Despite the emotional high of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally clinching their maiden title in 2025, the IPL’s financial graph continues to slope downward — marking the sharpest fall in the league’s history.
IPL’s 2025 Brand Value Overview
| Year | Brand Value (in ₹ crore) | % Change | Major Reasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 92,500 | — | Peak valuation period |
| 2024 | 82,700 | -10.6% | Online gaming concerns, ad slowdown |
| 2025 | 76,100 | -11% | Online gaming ban, media consolidation |
Two Major Reasons Behind the Decline
1. Ban on Online and Money-Gaming Platforms
The introduction of the 2025 Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Act has dealt a major blow to IPL’s sponsorship and advertising revenue.
- Gaming and fantasy sports companies, which previously contributed ₹1,500–2,000 crore, have withdrawn from IPL partnerships.
- These platforms were among the primary front-shirt sponsors of several franchises, and their exit has directly impacted broadcast ad rates and team sponsorship income.
- This ban has not only affected franchises but also broadcasters who relied heavily on gaming ads during live matches.
2. Media Consolidation: Reliance–Disney Merger
The 2024 merger between Reliance Industries’ media assets and Walt Disney has drastically altered the media rights ecosystem.
- The consolidation has reduced bidding intensity and competition for IPL media rights.
- With fewer major players vying for broadcasting deals, the overall valuation of the IPL ecosystem has dipped.
- The combined effect of these factors has led to an estimated loss of ₹16,400 crore, marking the sharpest devaluation in IPL’s 17-year history.
RCB’s Win Couldn’t Stop the Slide
The 2025 IPL final was one of the most emotional in history, with RCB lifting their first-ever IPL trophy after 17 seasons. Despite the historic moment, the overall economic sentiment around the league remained subdued, overshadowed by external market and regulatory pressures.
WPL Brand Value Also Suffers
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has not escaped the trend either.
- The brand value of the WPL fell by 5.6%, from ₹1,350 crore in 2024 to ₹1,275 crore in 2025.
- The same factors — the ban on online gaming advertisements and reduced sponsorship competition — are cited as the main causes of the decline.
Conclusion
The IPL remains a colossal sporting property, but the regulatory clampdown on gaming sponsors and media monopolization have raised long-term sustainability concerns.
Industry experts believe that for the IPL to regain its growth trajectory, fresh digital monetization models and diversified sponsorship categories will be key to offsetting the current downturn.
