The rapid rise in this rapid format cricket, led by the Premier Indian League, fuels investments of several billion dollars, while franchises develop in new leagues and unexploited markets.
Once a sport defined by tradition and endurance, cricket is now at the center of a modern gold rush. The explosive growth of the Twenty20 cricket (T20) – a three -hour rapid rhythm format instead of the five traditional days – transformed the game into a commercial power, attracting global investors who want to put their assertion.
The Indian Premier League (IPL), launched in 2008, was the engine of this transformation, generating record income and inspiring the creation of T20 leagues around the world.
In 2024, the total value of the IPL was $ 16.4 billion, according to a study by Houlihan Lokey, a leading valuation authority. With its diffusion rights selling $ 6.02 billion, investors aggressively widen their portfolios, buying leagues in South Africa, water, England, the United States and beyond. IPL IPL franchise owners lead the charge, while new entrants, including technological billionaires and Bollywood stars, feed the rapid globalization of sport.
The financial power of the IPL
Tata Group, the sponsor of the IPL title for 2024-2028, pays annual sponsorship fees of $ 58 million. The league generates approximately $ 1.2 billion a year from broadcasting and sponsorships, seventh in the world of sport, but ranks like the second most precious sports league worldwide in broadcasting rights on a match, winning $ 17 million per game – doing only the NFL, which wins around $ 37 million per game.
Having found success in IPL, the owners of franchises now support new leagues in the world. In South Africa SA20, the six teams belong to IPL Investors. The ILT20 water supported the Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, as well as business giants like GMR, Adani, Capital and Capri Global.
Reliance, owner of the Mumbai Indians, is at the forefront of global expansion, acquiring a 49% stake in the invincible ovals for $ 74 million – the highest franchise price of “hundred” competition in England. Reliance also has Mi Cape Town (SA20), Mi Emirates (ILT20) and Mi New York (Major League Cricket).
Other stakeholders IPL follow suit. RPSG Group, owner of the Super Giants of Lucknow, acquired a 70% stake in Manchester Originals for 100 million dollars and also has the Durban franchise, in South Africa, in SA20. Sun Group, owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad, bought the Northern SuperChargers for $ 125 million, while GMR Group, co -owner of Delhi’s capital, has invested $ 149 million in the Hampshire.
New investors enter the game
The Boom T20 also attracts fresh capital from the outside of traditional cricket circles. A billionaire technological consortium led by the CEO of Google Sundar Pichai and the CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella agreed to buy a 49% stake in London Spirit for $ 180 million.
In the United States, around 850 million dollars are invested in establishing a professional cricket league, major leagues cricket receiving $ 120 million in investor funding, including Satya Nadella and Ross Perot Jr. to develop stadiums and training facilities.
The return of cricket at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after an absence of 128 years should further accelerate the world’s scope of sport. Meanwhile, Europe joins the T20 movement, with the teams of inaugural European League – in the process of making teams from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands – who launched in July 2025. Indian actor Abhishek Bachchan is one of his co -owners.
While sport continues its expansion, new markets are emerging. Saudi Arabia, which hosted an auction of IPL players last November, is positioned as the next major destination for cricket. With billions that flock to the T20, cricket is no longer just a game – it is a rapidly growing global empire.