BCCI Sponsorship Shift After Dream11 Exit
New Delhi — Apollo Tyres has emerged as the new principal jersey sponsor for India’s cricket teams, replacing Dream11. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Apollo will pay approximately ₹4.5 crore per match, under a contract that runs through 2027.
Dream11’s deal ended earlier this month after regulatory changes involving online gaming forced the BCCI to terminate contracts with real-money gaming firms.
Key Terms & Competitive Bidding
According to reports, Apollo Tyres outbid rivals such as Canva and JK Tyre to secure the jersey rights. Birla Opus Paints was also interested but chose not to enter the formal bidding process.
The new deal is more lucrative than Dream11’s prior contract, which reportedly paid the BCCI around ₹4 crore per match. Apollo’s higher fee reflects both brand valuations and increased visibility expectations as India plays many more matches across formats till 2027.
Regulatory Backdrop: Law and Branding
The deal follows the enactment of India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bars real-money gaming companies from sponsoring sports entities. Because of that, Dream11 had to exit its jersey sponsorship. BCCI floated new tenders that excluded such categories.
These changes forced the national teams to begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign without a jersey sponsor visible on their kits.
Financials, Visibility & Impact
Under the agreement, Apollo Tyres will pay ₹4.5 crore per match. Over the span until 2027, this deal is expected to bring BCCI substantial revenue. Some reports estimate the total contract value at about ₹579 crore across all matches covered.
For Apollo, this offers immense visibility. India plays a packed international schedule, so the brand logo will appear in men’s, women’s, and youth matches across bilateral and ICC events. The timing also ensures the brand gets exposure during marquee tournaments like Asia Cup 2025.
Reactions & Fan Buzz
Fans reacted rapidly on social media. While many welcomed the sponsorship, some joked about the “jersey curse” that seems to follow brands placing their logo on the Indian kit. Nonetheless, from a business angle, the deal reinforces cricket’s strong commercial pull in India.
BCCI officials remain silent on many finer details, such as the precise matches to display the logo first and how the deal handles specials like ICC tournaments. But external reports suggest that Apollo’s logo may appear as early as upcoming bilateral series or the next home season after Asia Cup.
What It Means Going Forward
This transition marks a shift under new regulatory constraints. With Dream11’s exit, BCCI has shown it can secure a strong sponsor even under tighter rules. For brands, it signals that cricket sponsorship remains valuable and possible, provided they comply with laws and ethics.
For fans, brand changes on jerseys are part of modern sport. But financial stability, regulatory clarity, and transparency make such deals more sustainable and acceptable.