Ranking IPL Franchises by Revenue in the Indian Premier League

The Indian Premier League is not just cricket — it is one of the most powerful sports business ecosystems in the world. The IPL’s total business value reached $18.5 billion in 2025, up from $16.4 billion in 2024. Behind these staggering numbers are ten franchises generating hundreds of crores in annual revenue through sponsorships, broadcasting, merchandise, and matchday income. Here is a definitive ranking of all ten IPL franchises based on their revenue.

IPL Franchise Revenue Rankings 2025

1. Kolkata Knight Riders – ₹756 Crore

KKR leads all franchises in revenue, a position built on star power, titles, and commercial muscle. 5KKR has a strong brand association as the team is owned by Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, and they have won the IPL title three times in the 2012, 2014, and 2024 seasons. Their revenue comes from diverse revenue streams, including sponsorships, merchandise, and BCCI’s central pool.

2. Chennai Super Kings – ₹674 Crore

CSK’s financial engine runs on loyalty. Chennai Super Kings are one of the most successful franchises in the IPL, having secured five IPL titles — 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. Their strong fan base strengthens the team’s sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and overall brand value, making CSK a lucrative franchise.

3. Mumbai Indians – ₹665 Crore

Mumbai Indians, owned by Nita Ambani of Reliance Industries, are one of the most successful and valuable teams in IPL history. Reliance’s strategic vision has helped MI dominate both on and off the field, backed by elite infrastructure and scouting networks. Despite finishing tenth in IPL 2024, MI’s commercial position did not deteriorate significantly — on-field performance influences short-term sentiment, but sustained brand equity depends on ownership credibility, sponsor relationships, and market size.

4. Sunrisers Hyderabad – ₹642 Crore

Sunrisers Hyderabad generated strong revenue, with financial strength coming from media synergies, sponsorships, and a passionate fan base. SRH’s brand value reached USD 154 million in 2025, representing an increase of more than 80% relative to the previous valuation cycle — one of the sharpest growth rates among all franchises.

5. Rajasthan Royals – ₹635 Crore

Rajasthan’s valuation reflects moderate but steady growth. The team operates in a smaller metropolitan area than most rivals, which limits certain revenue streams, but their strong player-development record and consistent playoff appearances have sustained commercial interest.

6. Delhi Capitals – ₹603 Crore

The Delhi franchise, originally launched as Delhi Daredevils in 2008, was bought by GMR Group for about $85 million. In 2018, JSW Sports acquired a 50 per cent stake, after which the team was rebranded as Delhi Capitals. Their growing fan base and smart financial strategies have helped sustain a revenue figure above ₹600 crore.

7. Gujarat Titans – ₹559 Crore

GT’s journey from entry to valuation is arguably the most efficient in IPL history — established in 2022, the franchise won the IPL title in its debut season under Hardik Pandya. The Gujarat Titans closed the 2025 season with a brand value of USD 142 million, showcasing a modest 0.7% year-on-year growth.

8. Lucknow Super Giants – ₹557 Crore

LSG entered the IPL in 2022 alongside Gujarat Titans, and their early results were promising — the franchise reached the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023, though they finished seventh in the 2024 league stage. A lack of deep playoff appearances has impacted visibility, though their focus on social media interaction and strong local fan engagement has helped maintain stability.

9. Royal Challengers Bengaluru – ₹504 Crore

Despite finishing below the halfway mark in revenue, RCB’s brand equity soared in 2025. The 2025 season saw RCB end a 17-year wait for their first title, attributed in part to a shift in leadership that placed Rajat Patidar as captain while Virat Kohli remained a senior batter. United Spirits (Diageo) sold Royal Challengers Bengaluru to an Aditya Birla Group-led consortium for $1.78 billion, making it the largest IPL franchise transaction of 2026.

10. Punjab Kings – ₹471 Crore

Punjab Kings sit at the bottom of the revenue table but are trending upward. Punjab Kings recorded the highest brand value growth rate among all IPL franchises in 2025, with a 39.6% increase in brand value compared to the previous year. PBKS acquired Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crore, making him the second most expensive player in IPL history, signalling an intent to build a more competitive side.

What Drives IPL Revenue?

IPL team owners earn through multiple revenue channels — broadcast revenue share from the BCCI, sponsorship deals from jersey to title partners, and matchday earnings from ticket sales, hospitality packages, and food and beverages. Franchisee revenues are underwritten by long-term media contracts and front-loaded sponsorship deals, with up to 80% revenue visibility secured before the season starts.

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