Global private equity investors are showing strong interest in India’s Indian Premier League (IPL), drawn by the world’s richest cricket league’s rapidly rising revenues, profits and massive viewership, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
Major private equity names, including KKR, Blackstone and Partners Group, are exploring opportunities to invest in IPL franchises, according to banking sources. The wave of interest follows a highly profitable deal by European investor CVC Capital Partners, which earned more than a 350 percent return after selling its majority stake in the Gujarat Titans team.
The IPL’s business value has surged in recent years, reaching an estimated $18.5 billion in 2025, and on a per‑match basis is now one of the most valuable sporting leagues globally, second only to the National Football League (NFL) in broadcast value. Its success in monetising media rights, sponsorship and franchise economics has made it a standout asset for global investors.
A central feature that appeals to private capital is the IPL’s revenue‑sharing model, under which roughly half of media rights and sponsorship proceeds are evenly distributed among the league’s ten teams. This structure gives franchise owners predictable incomes and enhances financial stability across the league, making team stakes attractive to long‑term investors.
The league’s popularity and economic fundamentals have grown alongside global viewership; the 2025 season drew about 1.19 billion viewers across television and digital platforms, outpacing many major sports leagues in audience size. At the franchise level, some teams have doubled their revenues, with others showing even sharper profit gains, further underscoring the business opportunity.
Despite the enthusiasm, analysts note potential risks, such as an increasingly crowded international franchise calendar and market dynamics following a major broadcast rights partnership in India. Still, investors see the scarcity of IPL teams, rising media deals and consistent fan engagement as strong drivers of future value.
Much of the recent interest centres on well‑known franchises like Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Rajasthan Royals, with discussions underway between private equity players and team owners, though none have publicly confirmed deals.
The IPL’s expanding global appeal and commercial success reflect Indian cricket’s ongoing evolution into a leading international entertainment and investment asset class, attracting capital well beyond its traditional domestic base.
Leave a comment