The IPL thrives on more than just sixes and wickets—it’s a thriving ecosystem of fandom, fashion, and fortunes. In 2025, the league hit a staggering $18.5 billion in business value—a 12.9% jump from the previous year—while its sheer brand presence surged to $3.9 billion. At the heart of this boom are the franchises themselves—each a potent brand with its own identity, culture, and revenue engine.
So which team wears the crown in 2025? Let’s break down the IPL 2025 franchise brand value rankings, exploring what sprinted RCB ahead and how the rest of the league stacks up.
1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru – The New Kingpin ($269M)
RCB’s 2025 IPL victory wasn’t just a first—it was a transformation. Pairing Rajat Patidar’s astute captaincy with Virat Kohli’s megastar presence, the team electrified its loyal fanbase, igniting engagement across digital and real-world platforms. Record-breaking merchandise sales, high-profile sponsors, and razor-sharp campaigns fueled RCB’s leap to $269 million, nudging them into pole position.
Key drivers:
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Maiden IPL title—finally delivered.
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Leadership combo: Patidar’s strategy + Kohli’s charisma.
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Explosive digital content and fan-driven marketing.
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Bold red-gold color and fresh sponsorship deals.
2. Mumbai Indians – The Benchmark ($242M)
MI’s brand remains a standard setter. Their five-title history speaks of dominance, maturity, and a culture only few know. 2025 saw fresh leadership from Mahela Jayawardene and Hardik Pandya, stabilising a slight dip in previous seasons. Their “One Family” ethos resonates deeply with fans and partners alike.
Brand pillars:
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Legacy of five IPL championships.
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Coaching & captaincy combine experience with vibrancy.
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Rich blue & gold branding.
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Massive merchandise and sponsorship ecosystem.
3. Chennai Super Kings – The Emotional Custodians ($235M)
CCSkool’s magic lies not in thrilling highs, but in enduring emotional attachments. Even a mediocre season couldn’t dislodge their cult status, built around MS Dhoni’s legendary leadership—the “Thala effect” keeps them firmly relevant.
Brand strengths:
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Consistent legacy and emotional brand equity.
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Countless Chennai-based cultural ties.
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Yellows all year long in merchandising.
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Stability in brand identity regardless of form.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders – Bollywood Meets Cricket ($227M)
KKR’s purple reign isn’t just about the title trophy—Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and Shah Rukh Khan’s backing add Bollywood allure. Purple-and-gold visuals, glitzy engagements, and consistent finals appearances put them in the upper tier.
What fuels KKR:
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2024 IPL win under Iyer’s leadership.
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Bollywood’s glitter and fan crossover.
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Strong performance-based merchandise and sponsors.
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Themed marketing leveraging SRK’s charisma.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad – The Strategists on the Rise ($154M)
SRH surprised many with their 2024 finals run, fueled by Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Coupled with a reputation for nurturing young talent, the franchise achieved substantial brand value growth on the back of orange pride.
Highlights:
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Finalist credentials in 2024.
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Youth development as a brand signal.
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Loyal fan base and growing sponsorship deals.
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Brand identity built around flair and youth.
6. Delhi Capitals – Emerging Leaders ($152M)
DC are the metropolitan powerhouse of IPL branding—bold, youthful, and strategic. With rising stars and digital-first campaigns, they’re positioning themselves for a breakout future that matches their performance vision.
Brand strengths:
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Strong urban, cosmopolitan appeal.
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Commitment to youth-led growth and modern ethos.
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Blue-red vibrancy with growing fan followership.
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Media and sponsorship strategies aligned to youth culture.
7. Rajasthan Royals – The Talent Factory ($141M)
Though the pink brigade hasn’t tasted IPL gold since 2008, their family-oriented appeal and young-player focus resonate deeply. Royal branding derives from nurturing homegrown talent and defying expectations.
Brand pillars:
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“Underdog with heart” brand message.
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High impact via youth scouting and development.
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Striking pink branding and messaging.
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Carefully curated digital fan journeys.
8. Gujarat Titans – The Efficient Newcomers ($110M)
A debut-season title in 2022 should have vaulted GT further—but their brand leap has been modest. Foundations are there: blue-gold threads, consistent squad selection, and focused messaging are building blocks for future growth.
Essentials:
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Early title defines intent.
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Clear color identity and merch strategy.
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Roadblocked by missing a strong aspirational narrative.
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Path to growth lies in narrative depth.
9. Punjab Kings – The Rebirthing Brand ($109M)
Punjab Kings highs are always near—a runner-up finish in 2025, leadership under Ricky Ponting, and gameplay injection from Iyer sparked brand growth of nearly 40% year-on-year. From complacency to brand revival, they’re crafting a bold comeback.
Momentum Makers:
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Runner-up performance in IPL 2025.
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Strong rebuild under Ponting/Iyer.
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Social campaigns resonated across digital youth segments.
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Red-silver identity gains sharper edge.
10. Lucknow Super Giants – The Regional Ascendant ($104M)
LSG may sit at $104 million, but their 34% growth signals an unstoppable climb. With clear messaging, regional loyalty, and competitive performances, LSG are the startup success story of the IPL.
Growth Features:
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Brand momentum via consistent performances.
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Focused regional appeal.
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Social-first, youth-friendly campaigns.
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Brand ready for next phase.
Why Brand Power Matters in IPL
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Merchandising bonanza: Merchandise sales account for a significant chunk of revenues. From replica jerseys to lamps and mugs—franchise color is culture.
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Celebrity involvement: Bollywood owners amplify reach—Shah Rukh Khan’s presence at KKR matches is more media event than game accessory.
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Digital ubiquity: Campaigns like “Yeh Hai India ka Tyohar” and “#GameBanayegaName” transcend cricket—they’re cultural moments that spark global conversation.
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Sponsorship potential: Each team’s digital and viewership numbers translate directly to brand value and P&L growth.
What Lies Ahead
If IPL 2025 was explosive, IPL 2026 could be revolutionary.
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RCB will seek to sustain growth, possibly investing in arenas or academy models.
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MI and CSK will double down on legacy branding—experience over novelty.
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KKR, DC, SRH, PBKS, LSG: These “brand risers” are crafting identities that appeal to Gen Z and Generation Alpha.
With the IPL drawing global attention, teams must pivot from pure cricketing excellence to immersive fan experience, digital storytelling, and social relevance to thrive.
TL;DR – Brand Value Rankings
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RCB – $269M
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MI – $242M
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CSK – $235M
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KKR – $227M
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SRH – $154M
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DC – $152M
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RR – $141M
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GT – $110M
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PBKS – $109M
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LSG – $104M
Final Word
Beyond the boundary ropes, IPL is an empire of brands, each vying for fandom, visibility, and resonance. In 2025, RCB reign as the top franchise, their title victory aligning perfectly with boundary-breaking brand strategy. But contenders like MI, CSK, KKR, SRH, and the emergent PBKS and LSG remind us: in the IPL, brand evolution never stops.
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