BCCI Opens Bids for Indian Cricket Team Title Sponsorship After Dream11 Exit, Bars Gaming and Crypto Firms
Dream11, alongside My11Circle, had contributed around ₹1,000 crore to the BCCI through team and IPL sponsorship deals.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited bids for the Indian cricket team’s title sponsorship rights following fantasy sports platform Dream11’s withdrawal. The move comes in the wake of India’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which has effectively banned real-money gaming, forcing companies like Dream11 to shut down operations in this segment.
Dream11, alongside My11Circle, had contributed around ₹1,000 crore to the BCCI through team and IPL sponsorship deals. The company had secured the national team’s title sponsorship for $44 million (₹358 crore) for the 2023–2026 cycle but is exiting a year early without facing penalties. The BCCI has acknowledged that the regulatory changes are beyond the company’s control, describing the withdrawal as a necessary compliance move rather than a breach of contract.
The BCCI’s Invitation to Express Interest (IEOI) lays out strict eligibility criteria for prospective bidders. Companies and their group entities must not be involved in online money gaming, betting, gambling, or any similar services, either in India or globally. They are also prohibited from holding investments or ownership stakes in entities offering such services. In addition, companies operating in sectors prohibited under the new gaming law or those considered contrary to “public morals,” such as alcohol, tobacco, or pornography, are barred from participation.
The Board has further ruled out bids from certain brand categories where it already has sponsorship arrangements in place. These include athleisure and sportswear, currently represented by Adidas; banking and financial services, with IDFC First Bank as a key partner; non-alcoholic beverages, featuring Campa Cola; and insurance, represented by SBI Life. Consumer appliances like fans, mixers, and safety locks are also off-limits. The BCCI has also issued a warning against “surrogate branding,” making clear that companies cannot attempt to bypass restrictions by applying through proxy entities or alternate brand names.
Financial requirements have been set to ensure only companies with robust balance sheets can participate in the bidding. To qualify, bidders must demonstrate either a minimum average turnover of ₹300 crore over the past three financial years or an average net worth of at least ₹300 crore during the same period. The last date to purchase the IEOI is September 12, and all bid submissions must be completed by September 16. The BCCI has also reserved the right to amend or cancel the bidding process at any stage without providing a reason.
The exit of Dream11 highlights the financial implications of India’s tightening online gaming regulations. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 explicitly prohibits companies from offering, promoting, or advertising real-money gaming, dealing a significant blow to fantasy sports platforms that have been key sponsors of Indian cricket in recent years. With this change, the BCCI will now need to court sponsorships from sectors that meet its stricter compliance requirements, potentially reshaping the sponsorship landscape of the sport.
A senior BCCI official, speaking to PTI on condition of anonymity, emphasized that Dream11’s exit would not lead to penalties. “This is a government rule and full compliance is required. In the current scenario, their business is impacted, and we fully understand their plight,” the official said.
The sponsorship shift signals a pivotal moment for Indian cricket’s commercial partnerships. As the regulatory environment tightens, brands across industries will likely assess opportunities in cricket sponsorship with greater caution, while the BCCI adapts its approach to attract partners from sectors unaffected by these restrictions.