In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through Indian cricket just weeks before the Asia Cup 2025, fantasy sports platform Dream11 has officially withdrawn as the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket team. The decision comes in the aftermath of Parliament passing the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025,’ which effectively bans all real-money gaming platforms in India.
The timing couldn’t be more dramatic – with India scheduled to depart for Dubai on September 4 or 5 for the Asia Cup beginning September 9, the Men in Blue now face the unusual prospect of taking the field without a jersey sponsor for the first time in recent memory.
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The ₹358 Crore Deal That Couldn’t Survive
Dream11’s BCCI Sponsorship Contract Details
| Contract Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Value | ₹358 crore (3 years) |
| Contract Period | July 2023 – March 2026 |
| Home Match Fee | ₹3 crore per game |
| Away Match Fee | ₹1 crore per game |
| Replacement | Byju’s (previous sponsor) |
| Early Exit Penalty | None (due to legal clause) |
Dream11 had signed this lucrative three-year agreement worth ₹358 crore in July 2023, replacing the embattled ed-tech giant Byju’s. The deal included ₹3 crore per home match and ₹1 crore for away games, making it one of the most valuable sponsorship arrangements in Indian cricket.
However, the new legislation has rendered this partnership untenable. As per The Indian Express, representatives of Dream11 visited the BCCI office and told chief executive officer Hemang Amin that they won’t be able to continue sponsoring Team India.
Legal Safeguards Protect Dream11 from Penalties
Despite the early termination, Dream11 won’t face financial penalties thanks to a carefully crafted contractual clause. “The BCCI fully understands one of our sponsorship partner’s plight. It is not their fault and unlike other issues of payment default, there won’t be any penalty levied on Dream11,” a top BCCI official confirmed.
This protective clause, similar to a ‘force majeure’ provision, allows sponsors to withdraw without financial penalty if government legislation disrupts their core business operations. Given that the new Online Gaming Bill imposes severe consequences – up to five years in prison and fines of ₹2 crore for repeat offenders – Dream11’s exit becomes legally bulletproof.
The Online Gaming Bill 2025: A Game Changer
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, passed by both houses of Parliament on August 21, 2025, represents a seismic shift in India’s digital gaming landscape. The bill encourages e-sports and online social games while prohibiting harmful online money gaming services.
Key Provisions of the Online Gaming Bill 2025
| Provision | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Real Money Gaming Ban | Complete prohibition on offering/facilitating money games | Eliminates Dream11’s core business model |
| Advertising Restrictions | Ban on all forms of gaming platform advertisements | Blocks Dream11’s marketing activities |
| Financial Blockade | Banks restricted from processing gaming transactions | Cuts off revenue streams |
| Penalties | Up to 5 years jail + ₹2 crore fine for repeat offenses | Creates severe legal risks |
| E-sports Promotion | Encourages skill-based competitive gaming | Opens new opportunities |
The bill is intended to protect individuals, especially youth and vulnerable populations, from the adverse impact of such games. It establishes an Online Gaming Authority for coordinated policy support and regulatory oversight.
BCCI’s Emergency Response
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed the partnership’s end, stating categorically that the board will fully comply with the new legislation. “Our stand is very clear. With government regulations in place, the BCCI cannot continue its sponsorship relationship with Dream11 or any such other gaming company.”
The cricket board now faces the challenging task of finding a replacement sponsor with just 15 days remaining before India’s opening Asia Cup match. The report states that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will now invite new bids for the jersey-sponsorship rights.
Jersey Crisis: Pre-Printed Logos Go Unused
Adding to the complexity, jerseys featuring Dream11’s logo have already been printed for the Asia Cup but will remain unused due to the sponsorship withdrawal. This situation underscores the sudden nature of the decision and the logistical challenges facing the BCCI.
The cricket board is expected to invite fresh bids for jersey sponsorship rights, though whether a new partner can be finalized before the Asia Cup remains highly uncertain given the compressed timeline.
Dream11’s Pivot Strategy
Faced with the collapse of its flagship revenue stream, Dream11 is rapidly pivoting to alternative business models. The company has launched ‘Dream Money,’ a personal finance app now available on the Google Play Store, allowing users to invest in gold, fixed deposits, and track spending. This diversification reflects Dream11’s attempt to maintain business continuity while complying with the new legal framework.
The platform is also focusing on its other verticals, including FanCode, DreamSetGo, and Dream Game Studios, as it seeks to mitigate the impact of the gaming ban. Reports indicate the company is pivoting to other ventures, including a new personal finance app, ‘Dream Money’, and its other verticals like FanCode and DreamSetGo.
Broader Industry Impact
Dream11’s withdrawal signals a broader disruption in the sports marketing ecosystem. The company, valued at $8 billion and with over 280 million users, had embedded itself across global cricket properties. From sponsoring the Caribbean Premier League to partnerships with New Zealand’s Super Smash and Australia’s Big Bash League, Dream11’s reach was vast.
Dream11’s withdrawal also casts doubt on its ₹125 crore annual IPL fantasy partnership, leaving the BCCI potentially facing a larger revenue shortfall. Together with My11Circle, these platforms contribute approximately ₹1,000 crore to the BCCI through various sponsorships.
The Jersey Jinx Continues
Dream11 now joins a growing list of Indian cricket team sponsors affected by what industry insiders call the ‘jersey jinx.’ Dream11 now joins a list of past sponsors — like Sahara, Star India, Oppo, and Byju’s — who exited their contracts due to regulatory, financial, or legal troubles.
This pattern highlights the vulnerability of cricket sponsorships to external factors beyond sporting performance, ranging from regulatory changes to corporate governance issues.
Asia Cup 2025: Cricket Without Commercial Backing
As things stand, India’s Asia Cup campaign will begin on September 10 against UAE, followed by the high-stakes clash against Pakistan on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. For the first time in recent memory, the Men in Blue may play these crucial matches without a title sponsor emblazoned on their jerseys.
The absence of sponsorship doesn’t just represent a visual change – it symbolizes a fundamental shift in how sports marketing operates in an era of increased regulatory oversight. The BCCI’s ability to secure a last-minute replacement will test the resilience and attractiveness of Indian cricket as a commercial property.
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FAQs
Why did Dream11 withdraw as Team India’s sponsor before Asia Cup 2025?
Dream11 withdrew due to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which bans real-money gaming platforms and their advertising, making their sponsorship deal legally untenable.
What was the value of Dream11’s sponsorship contract with BCCI?
Dream11 had signed a three-year deal worth ₹358 crore from July 2023 to March 2026, paying ₹3 crore per home match and ₹1 crore for away games.
Will Dream11 face penalties for early termination of the contract?
No, Dream11 will not face penalties due to a contractual clause that allows withdrawal without financial liability if government legislation impacts the sponsor’s core business.
When does Asia Cup 2025 begin and will India play without a sponsor?
Asia Cup 2025 begins on September 9, 2025. India is likely to play without a jersey sponsor unless BCCI finds a replacement in the remaining 15 days.
What other BCCI partnerships are affected by the Online Gaming Bill?
My11Circle’s ₹125 crore annual IPL fantasy partnership is also at risk, potentially creating a combined revenue impact of nearly ₹1,000 crore for BCCI from gaming platform exits.
