The value of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a business has risen 11.4% to reach USD 20.6 billion according to Houlihan Lokey.
 
The IPL’s stand-alone brand value increased 10.3% year-on-year to USD 4.3 billion, having added more than USD 1.1 billion in value since 2023, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most valuable sports brands. On a per-match basis, only the NFL ranks ahead of the IPL globally.

The growth in 2026 came on the back of the owners of two francheses - Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) changing hands in two landmark transactions. RCB was acquired by a consortium comprising Blackstone, Bolt Ventures, Aditya Birla Group, and Times of India Group at a reported valuation of USD 1.78 billion, the most expensive single IPL franchise transaction in history. Rajasthan Royals was acquired by the Mittal family and Adar Poonawalla at a reported valuation of USD 1.65 billion.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was the most valuable franchise with a brand value of USD 312 million, up 16.0% from USD 269.0 million in 2025. RCB also became the first cricket team to cross the US$300.0 million brand value mark. 
 
Mumbai Indians (MI) was second on the list with its brand value growing 9.1% to USD 264 million despite finishing second last in the tournament earlier this year. 

KKR was ranked third (up 7.9%) followed by Chennai Super Kings (growth of 3.8%). 

Among the remaining franchises, Sunrisers Hyderabad ranked number five with growth of more than 9%.
The top 10 was completed by Rajasthan Royals (10.3% growth), Punjab Kings (12.1% growth), Gujarat Titans (10.6%), Delhi Capitals (2.6%) and Lucknow Giants. Lucknow Giants was the only team that didn't see any growth. 

Harsh Talikoti, director, Houlihan Lokey’s Financial and Valuation Advisory, said,  "Cricket’s evolution into a globally owned, institutionally backed asset class has accelerated further in 2026, with the IPL continuing to redefine the global sports landscape. What the market confirmed this year, through landmark franchise transactions, is the extent to which the league can attract precisely the caliber of global, institutional, and strategic capital it was built to draw. Franchise valuations have reached new highs, private capital participation has accelerated, and the league’s commercial ecosystem continues to diversify. The IPL represents a unique convergence of sport, media, and consumer opportunity, underpinned by strong revenue visibility, disciplined cost structures, and an expanding global audience. These latest transactions further demonstrate the confidence investors continue to place in the long-term value creation opportunity.”

The 2026 edition also scored a structural shift in media consumption, according to the report. The report cited JioStar's numbers - where it achieved a cumulative reach of 1.06 billion screens and viewership up 7% year-on-year, with the opening weekend alone attracting 515 million viewers and generating 32.6 billion minutes of watch-time. Connected TV (CTV) was the key growth driver, with reach increasing 26% year-on-year, while linear television declined, with ratings down 18.8%.