The IPL remains one of the biggest sports brands in the world, but the 2025 season brought a major financial shake-up. The IPL ecosystem value fell by 20% in 2025, dropping from $12.0 billion (2024) to $9.6 billion (2025). Along with that decline, most franchises also saw their individual brand values drop—some sharply—while a few showed resilience.
This 2025-26 cycle has become a clear reminder that on-field performance, leadership stability, sponsorship climate, and external disruptions can directly affect a franchise’s brand value.
IPL Ecosystem Valuation 2025: What Triggered the 20% Drop?
- Geopolitical Disruption: The mid-season halt due to Operation Sindoor and tensions in the region disrupted the league flow, affecting revenues and viewership.
- Sponsorship Ban: A government ban on real-money gaming ads had a severe impact on team revenues, especially those heavily reliant on fantasy gaming platforms.
- Auction Confusion: Debates and uncertainty over the future of mega auctions left franchises unsettled, affecting team-building confidence.
- Injury and Availability Issues: Star players exited mid-season for national duty, creating inconsistency across team performances.
Read Also: Cost of IPL Stumps: Full Price, LED Technology
IPL Team Brand Value Rankings 2025-26 (USD)
Here is the latest team-wise brand value ranking with 2025 vs 2024 values, along with brand ratings.
| Rank (2025) | Team | Brand Value 2025 | Brand Value 2024 | Brand Rating 2025 | Brand Rating 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | $108M | $119M | AAA | AA+ |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | $105M | $117M | AAA | AA+ |
| 3 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | $93M | $122M | AAA+ | AAA |
| 4 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | $73–74M | $109M | AA+ | AA+ |
| 5 | Gujarat Titans (GT) | $70M | $69M | AA- | A+ |
| 6 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | $66M | $68M | AA- | A |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | $59M | $60M | A+ | A |
| 8 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | $59M | $80M | AA | A+ |
| 9 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | $56M | $85M | AA- | A+ |
| 10 | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | $53M | $81M | AA- | AA- |
Note: KKR’s 2025 value appears in the sources as $74M in one place and $73M in another. The ranking remains the same.
Top 3 Most Valuable IPL Teams in 2025-26
1) Mumbai Indians (MI) – $108M
Mumbai Indians returned to the No.1 spot in franchise brand value. Even with a decline compared to last year, MI’s brand stayed strongest overall because of:
- loyal and wide fanbase
- strong commercial partnerships
- late-season comeback and playoff qualification
MI continues to be one of the IPL’s most stable and marketable brands.
2) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – $105M
RCB became the season’s standout brand story by winning their first IPL title in 18 years, which lifted their overall narrative and visibility. They moved into second place in brand value rankings.
Even though the monetary value is lower than 2024, the title win gave RCB a major brand push in terms of relevance and fan engagement.
3) Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – $93M
CSK fell to third in brand value after a difficult season where they finished at the bottom of the table with four wins. Leadership and team-combination uncertainty also played a role.
Still, CSK remains one of the most iconic IPL franchises, and importantly, it holds the strongest brand strength score (explained below).
The Only Franchise That Grew: Gujarat Titans (GT)
Gujarat Titans (GT) – $70M (Up from $69M)
GT was the only franchise showing positive year-on-year growth in 2025. The key drivers highlighted were:
- calm and stable leadership under Shubman Gill
- smart auction strategy
- ability to perform under pressure
- consistent commercial appeal
In a year where most teams fell, GT stood out as the single positive mover.
Biggest Brand Value Drops: Who Lost the Most?
Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Down to $53M
RR recorded one of the steepest declines and finished last in brand value rankings. A poor season, leadership issues, and instability hurt their brand momentum.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Down to $56M
SRH couldn’t carry forward the momentum of being runner-ups in 2024. The 2025 performance drop pushed their brand value down strongly.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Down to ~$73–74M
KKR couldn’t repeat their 2024 championship success and ended in the bottom three in 2025, which impacted brand value significantly.
Delhi Capitals (DC) – Down to $59M
DC had a strong first half of the season but fell away later and finished fifth. The brand value dropped heavily from $80M (2024) to $59M (2025).
Know Also: Most Unsuccessful Team in IPL
The “Strongest” Brand Isn’t the Most Valuable: Brand Strength Index (BSI):
Brand value is about money. Brand strength is about fan loyalty, cultural impact, engagement, and long-term emotional connection. In IPL 2025-26, brand strength rankings tell a different story:
| Brand Strength Rank | Team | BSI Score (/100) | Key Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 92.6 | Strongest fanbase + cultural resonance |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 89.5 | Huge digital community + title boost |
| 3 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | 85.0 | Star power + wide fanbase |
| 4 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 75.2 | Strong legacy, needs on-field rhythm |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | 70.0 | Improved presence via key signings |
Big takeaway:
- MI is the most valuable team brand.
- CSK is the strongest team brand (highest BSI).
- RCB is the hottest momentum brand after the title win.
Summary
The IPL remains a massive sports property, but 2025 proved that even the biggest leagues can face corrections. The 2025-26 brand value table shows a clear pattern:
- Mumbai Indians stayed No.1 through stability and commercial strength
- RCB rose sharply in ranking after ending the title drought
- CSK dropped in value after a poor season, but still leads in brand strength
- GT was the only franchise with positive growth
- RR and SRH suffered the steepest valuation damage
If the league returns to stability and sponsorship confidence improves, the next cycle can easily swing upward again.
