10 Richest IPL Teams (2026): Franchise Values & Net Worth

The Indian Premier League has grown far beyond being a cricket competition. As of 2025, the league’s total business value stands at USD 18.5 billion, a 12.9% jump from 2024, according to the Houlihan Lokey Brand Valuation Study. Its standalone brand value is USD 3.9 billion, representing a 13.8% year-on-year increase. 

These figures tell a story of compounding financial momentum  driven by media rights, sponsorships, franchise performance, and a global fan base that keeps expanding.

The numbers behind individual franchises are just as striking. After winning their maiden IPL title in 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru ranked as the most valuable franchise. But the rankings reveal more than just on-field outcomes. They reflect how ownership structure, market geography, commercial strategy, and brand identity all interact to build financial value over time.

IPL Franchise Valuations At A Glance

Here is the Details about Valuations:

1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru: $269 Million

RCB now ranks first in the IPL franchise valuation chart, with a brand value of USD 269 million. For most of their history, RCB has carried a paradox: one of the league’s most commercially powerful teams, yet without a single title. That changed in 2025.

Under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar, RCB clinched their first-ever IPL title, ending a wait that stretched back to 2008. The franchise had previously reached the final in 2009 (under Anil Kumble), 2011 (under Daniel Vettori), and 2016 (under Virat Kohli) without converting any of those runs into a championship.

The title win had a direct commercial effect. Winning unlocks sponsorship renewals, merchandise sales, and visibility multipliers that few other events in a cricket season can match. RCB’s brand value surpassed both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 valuation cycle as a result.

One financial note worth tracking: the franchise’s current owners, United Spirits Limited (USL), have initiated a strategic review of their stake in RCB. A change of ownership is possible, though it has no bearing on the team’s cricket operations for IPL 2026. At present, RCB remains the most valuable IPL franchise.

2. Mumbai Indians: $242 Million

Mumbai Indians have a brand value of USD 242 million, owned by Reliance Industries through its subsidiary, Indiawin Sports. Reliance acquired MI in 2008 for USD 111.9 million an investment that has more than doubled in value on a brand basis alone.

MI’s valuation is based on institutional ownership, five IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020), and a fan base with a strong urban middle-class demographic. All five title wins came under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. The team now competes under Hardik Pandya, with Mahela Jayawardene continuing as head coach.

Despite finishing tenth in IPL 2024, MI’s commercial position did not deteriorate significantly. This reflects a key trait of well-structured franchise brands — on-field performance influences short-term sentiment, but sustained brand equity depends on ownership credibility, sponsor relationships, and market size.

3. Chennai Super Kings: $235 Million

CSK carries a brand value of USD 235 million, up from USD 231 million the previous year. They held the top franchise valuation spot before RCB’s title push in 2025.

The franchise has won the IPL five times: 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. Their 2023 win under MS Dhoni against Gujarat Titans in a rain-affected final remains one of the most-watched IPL events in the league’s history. In 2022, CSK became India’s first sports franchise to achieve a market capitalisation of ₹7,600 crore, crossing the threshold that defines a business unicorn.

N. Srinivasan, former BCCI president and Vice Chairman of India Cements, owns CSK. He purchased the franchise in 2008 for USD 91 million. CSK’s major sponsors include TVS Eurogrip and Gulf Oil, and the franchise has expanded its commercial presence internationally, with India Cements acquiring cricket teams in South Africa and the United States.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders: $222 Million

KKR’s brand value stands at USD 222 million, built on three IPL titles in 2012 and 2014 under Gautam Gambhir, and in 2024 under Shreyas Iyer. Their ownership structure, which carries strong Bollywood associations, extends their commercial reach beyond traditional cricket markets.

The franchise also benefits from a geographically significant home market. Kolkata has one of India’s most devoted cricket fan bases, which consistently delivers high stadium attendance and robust regional viewership numbers. In 2025, Ajinkya Rahane captained the side, a transitional season following their 2024 title.

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad: $154 Million

SRH’s brand value reached USD 154 million in 2025, representing an increase of more than 80% relative to the previous valuation cycle. This is one of the sharpest growth rates among all franchises.

The Sun TV Network owns SRH. The franchise won its only IPL title in 2016, when David Warner led the side to victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final. SRH finished as runners-up in both 2018 and 2024, demonstrating consistent competitive presence despite not adding to their title count.

The surge in 80%+ value points to the influence of recent on-field performances on commercial outcomes. Strong playoff finishes attract renewed sponsor interest and generate incremental media value.

6. Delhi Capitals: $152 Million

Delhi Capitals carry a USD 152 million valuation. The franchise traces its origins to 2008 as the Delhi Daredevils. The GMR Group purchased the franchise in 2008 for USD 84 million. In 2018, JSW Sports co-owner Parth Jindal acquired a 50% stake, bringing JSW Group alongside GMR as co-owners. GM Rao holds a net worth of USD 3.2 billion, while JSW Group is valued at USD 24 billion.

Despite a consistent competitive presence, DC has not won an IPL title. Their closest run came in 2020, when they reached the final under Shreyas Iyer before losing to Mumbai Indians. Axar Patel now leads the side. The franchise’s commercial value reflects its large home market and the dual ownership strength of GMR and JSW.

7. Rajasthan Royals: $146 Million

RR is valued at USD 146 million. They won the inaugural IPL in 2008 under Shane Warne’s captaincy, a result that still represents the franchise’s only title. Sanju Samson has led the team through recent seasons, taking them to a runner-up finish in 2022 and a playoff appearance in 2024.

Rajasthan’s valuation reflects moderate but steady growth. The team operates in a smaller metropolitan area than most rivals, which limits certain revenue streams, but their strong player-development record and consistent playoff appearances have sustained commercial interest.

8. Gujarat Titans: $142 Million

GT’s journey from entry to valuation is arguably the most efficient in IPL history. Established in 2022, the franchise won the IPL title in its debut season under Hardik Pandya. They returned to the final in 2023 but lost a rain-shortened game to Chennai Super Kings. Shubman Gill took over as captain in 2024.

The franchise is co-owned by Torrent Group (67% stake) and CVC Capital Partners (33%). CVC acquired its stake in 2021 for ₹5,625 crore. Torrent is headquartered in Ahmedabad and operates in the pharmaceutical, power, and gas sectors, with a net worth of ₹17.9 billion. The combined net worth of the owners stands at approximately USD 207.98 billion, making GT’s ownership group the second-richest among all IPL franchises.

GT’s current brand value of USD 142 million, after just a few years in operation, reflects how quickly on-field success translates into commercial traction in the IPL ecosystem.

9. Punjab Kings: $141 Million

PBKS holds a USD 141 million brand valuation. The franchise has not yet won an IPL title, with their best run being a runner-up finish in 2014 under George Bailey’s captaincy.

In a notable auction move, PBKS acquired Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crore, making him the second most expensive player in IPL history. Iyer brings recent title-winning captaincy experience from KKR’s 2024 championship, and his acquisition signals an intent to build a more competitive side. Punjab Kings also recorded the highest growth rate among all IPL franchises in 2025, with a 39.6% increase in brand value compared to the previous year.

10. Lucknow Super Giants: $122 Million

LSG entered the IPL in 2022 alongside Gujarat Titans, and their early results were promising. The franchise reached the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023, though they finished seventh in the 2024 league stage.

Dr. Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group owns LSG, securing the franchise rights for a record ₹7,090 crore in 2021. Goenka, whose net worth stands at USD 4.5 billion, also owns the Durban Super Giants in the SA20 tournament and holds a 49% stake in Manchester Originals. Rishabh Pant captains the side, acquired at the 2025 mega-auction for a record-breaking ₹27 crore.

LSG’s brand value of USD 122 million reflects the relatively early stage of their commercial development. As the franchise builds a more consistent on-field record, that number is likely to move upward.

What Drives IPL Franchise Valuations?

Brand value in the IPL does not work like a simple prize for winning. Several overlapping forces act on it, moving it in either direction.

• Media rights form the structural base. The IPL’s 2023–2027 broadcasting deal with Viacom18 and Disney Star, valued at approximately ₹48,390 crore (around USD 6 billion), remains one of the largest media rights deals in global cricket history. The overall pool is distributed among franchises, and larger markets command greater attention from broadcasters.
• Sponsorship and title backing add the next major layer. Each franchise negotiates its own commercial deals, jersey sponsors, ground naming rights, and brand co-associations. Franchises with larger or more urban home markets attract premium sponsors seeking wide reach.
• On-field performance shapes short-term movements. A title win, such as RCB’s in 2025, can elevate a franchise from second or third to first within a single valuation cycle. However, sustained performance over multiple seasons is more important than a single title for long-term commercial stability.
• Fan base size and digital engagement increasingly influence how analysts assign value. Digital streaming has expanded the IPL’s reach beyond India. Franchises with large social media followings and high content engagement maintain brand value even during on-field transitions.
• Ownership depth provides a stabilising effect. Franchises backed by conglomerates such as Reliance (MI), India Cements (CSK), or GMR-JSW (DC) can absorb difficult seasons without significant commercial erosion. Newer owners, such as RPSG (LSG) and Torrent-CVC (GT), are still establishing this structural depth.

The Financial Gap Between Tiers

Looking at the rankings as a whole, a clear gap separates the top four franchises from the rest. RCB, MI, CSK, and KKR all exceed USD 200 million in brand value. The remaining six franchises cluster between USD 122 million and USD 154 million.

This gap reflects unequal commercial maturity rather than unequal cricketing quality. The top four franchises all have established brand identities, longer track records, larger home markets, and more extensive sponsor ecosystems. The lower-ranked teams, by contrast, are either geographically limited, newer entrants, or still building the consistency of performance that attracts sustained commercial investment.

The gap is not static. SRH’s 80%+ value growth in a single cycle demonstrates how rapidly a franchise can close the distance when on-field performances align with the right commercial moment. Punjab Kings’ 39.6% growth in 2025 shows a similar upward trajectory.

The Richest IPL Team Owners

Franchise values do not exist independently of ownership structures. Here’s a quick look at the five richest owners behind the league’s franchises.

Suggested Reads:

• IPL Team Owners (2026)
• IPL Net Worth (2026)

Conclusion: RCB Leads The Franchise Valuations

Royal Challengers Bengaluru lead the 2025 IPL franchise valuations with a brand value of USD 269 million, a direct outcome of winning their first-ever IPL title. Mumbai Indians (USD 242 million) and Chennai Super Kings (USD 235 million) follow closely, backed by institutional ownership and decades of commercial infrastructure.

The IPL’s total business value has crossed USD 18.5 billion, and franchise-level growth shows no sign of slowing. The numbers reveal a league in which on-field outcomes and off-field business decisions are tightly connected. A title win shifts valuations. Ownership depth provides resilience. Market size determines a ceiling. And consistently performing teams, even without titles, retain commercial relevance.

The financial gap between the top four and the rest remains significant, but it is not permanent. Teams such as SRH and Punjab Kings have already demonstrated that rapid valuation growth is possible. As media rights grow, digital viewership expands, and international investment interest in the IPL increases, competition for brand value will become as fierce as competition on the pitch.