IPL 2026: From Broadcasting Rights to Prize Down - A Break Down of Finances
- Rohit Chatterjee
- 7 hours ago
- 3 minutes read
Valued at 18.5 billion dollars, the Indian Premier League is the richest domestic T20 league in the world
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is undoubtedly the pinnacle of T20 domestic cricket. Therefore, it is not surprising that since 2008, the Indian Premier League has been refining its business and revenue models, making it the richest T20 domestic league today, valued at 18.5 billion dollars. Whether in marketing campaigns or on-field entertainment, the league has consistently evolved to boost its cash flow, which has allowed it to increase prize money, attract high-profile players, and secure lucrative media rights deals.
Ahead of the season opener, let us check out the league's financial breakdown, including prize money, the most expensive player, and media rights.
Prize money
Alert🚨
— Fan Account Richard Kettlebourogh (@RichKettle07) June 4, 2025
You are watching one of the greatest moment which took place after 18 years for RCB fans👏🏻
For 17 years, RCB were trolled with names like HaaRCB & Lollipop, but yesterday, they became the champions of the IPL, dominating every team.#RCBvsPBKSpic.twitter.com/6xnKeBAIEJ
Based on last year’s prize money, the winner of IPL 2026 is expected to receive the same amount as Royal Challengers Bengaluru received last year, i.e., INR 20 crore. On the other hand, INR 12.5 crore will go to the runner-up of the tournament. Compared to IPL, the BBL winner received only INR 2.7 crore last season, whereas the PSL winner received only INR 4.3 crore, so other T20 domestic leagues are miles away.
Most expensive player
Despite being sold to KKR for INR 25.20 crore in the IPL 2026 Auction, Cameron Green will pocket only INR 18 crore đź’°
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) December 17, 2025
According to IPL rules, an overseas cricketer's maximum fee at a mini auction will be the lower value between the highest retention slab (Rs 18 crore).#IPL2026… pic.twitter.com/J07w9Jv6in
For the IPL 2026 season, the league did not have a full-fledged auction but a mini auction, and Cameron Green was sold for INR 25.20 crore, becoming the most expensive player of the lot. Compared to the IPL, BBL’s most expensive player, Babar Azam, was sold for only INR 12 crore. In PSL, Steve Smith holds a record at INR 4.5 crore.
Broadcasting rights price
CAMERON GREEN SOLD TO KKR AT â‚ą25.20 CRORE#IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/vhN5zH2Mgo
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) December 16, 2025
Moving on to IPL’s broadcasting rights, for the 2023-2027 cycle, the rights were sold for a whopping INR 48,390 crore (approximately $6.2 billion). Disney Star grabbed the TV rights for the Indian subcontinent at INR 23,575 crore, whereas Viacom18 secured digital rights at INR 23,758 crore. Not to forget, the cost to host per IPL match on TV surpasses INR 118 crore – an amount standing just below the cost to host an NFL match on TV.
Cost of sponsorship
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) January 20, 2024
TATA Group has secured the title sponsorship rights for IPL 2024-28. 🤝🏻
Tata has renewed its association with the BCCI for five years at a record-breaking fee of INR 2500 CR. đź’°
(Highest-ever amount in the history of the league) 🏆#Tata #IPL2024 #IPL #Cricket… pic.twitter.com/rHzgQyS490
Last but not least, the main title sponsor of IPL, i.e., the Tata Group, pays INR 500 crore per year (2024-2028) to the league. Several other sponsors, apart from the main sponsor, contribute over INR 2,000 crore to the leagues or teams.
