MUMBAI (Diya TV) — The Indian Premier League has reached a new financial milestone. The world’s richest cricket league now carries an estimated value of $20.6 billion, according to a report released Tuesday by investment bank Houlihan Lokey. The latest figure marks a 10.3% increase from last year. It also reflects the growing global appeal of the IPL and strong investor confidence in the tournament’s future.
The report highlights two record-breaking franchise ownership deals that helped lift the league’s value. At the same time, the IPL continues to attract international investors, expand its commercial reach and strengthen its position among the world’s biggest sports properties.
The Houlihan Lokey report said the IPL now ranks among the most valuable sports leagues in the world. In fact, only the National Football League earns a higher value on a per-match basis. That achievement shows how quickly the Twenty20 competition has grown since its launch in 2008.
The IPL has transformed cricket into a global entertainment product. Every season, millions of fans watch matches across television and digital platforms. As a result, broadcasters, sponsors and advertisers continue to invest heavily in the league. Moreover, the tournament attracts many of the world’s top cricket players, which further boosts its popularity.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru remained the IPL’s most valuable franchise. The team now holds a brand value of $312 million, according to the report. The franchise also completed the biggest ownership transaction in IPL history. A consortium that included U.S. asset management company Blackstone acquired the team in a deal worth nearly $1.8 billion.
That agreement set a new benchmark for franchise valuations in cricket. It also showed that large institutional investors see long-term growth opportunities in the IPL. As media rights, sponsorship revenue and fan engagement continue to rise, franchise values have also climbed steadily.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals also completed a major ownership transaction. The deal valued the franchise at $1.65 billion. Indian steel businessman Lakshmi N. Mittal and his family joined vaccine entrepreneur Adar Poonawalla in taking control of the team. The investment added another high-profile business partnership to the league and reinforced confidence in cricket as a valuable global asset.
Harsh Talikoti, managing director at Houlihan Lokey, said cricket’s business model continues to evolve at a rapid pace. He noted that institutional investment has accelerated across the sport during 2026. He also said the IPL continues to reshape the global sports industry through its financial strength and commercial success.
According to Talikoti, the latest franchise deals demonstrate that investors believe the league will continue creating value over the long term. His comments reflect a wider trend as more global investment firms explore opportunities in professional sports.
The IPL has become one of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s biggest sources of revenue. The league generates income through broadcasting agreements, sponsorships, ticket sales and licensing. These revenue streams continue to grow each season as audiences expand in India and overseas.
In addition, the league delivers significant economic benefits beyond cricket. Earlier estimates suggested the IPL generates more than $11 billion each year for the Indian economy. The tournament supports jobs across hospitality, travel, media, retail and event management. Local businesses also benefit as fans travel to host cities during the season.
Furthermore, the IPL has inspired several new cricket competitions around the world. Many countries have launched their own franchise-based Twenty20 leagues by following the IPL model. The tournament has also influenced Indian sports beyond cricket. Franchise competitions now operate in sports such as badminton, boxing, kabaddi and poker.
The IPL’s rapid growth reflects changing trends in global sports investment. Investors increasingly view sports franchises as long-term assets with strong commercial potential. Digital streaming, international fan bases and expanding sponsorship opportunities continue to drive that interest.
