Archan Mehta
If cricket is religion in India, then the Indian Premier League (IPL) is Diwali, Eid, and Christmas rolled into two months with fireworks included. In just 18 years, the Indian Premier League has evolved from an ambitious Twenty20 experiment into one of the most profitable sports leagues in the world. Once dismissed as cricket’s flashy cousin, it now sits comfortably alongside global sporting giants like the NFL, NBA, and English Premier League in terms of revenue power, fan reach, and brand influence. With T20 cricket set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, the IPL’s global standing is poised to climb even higher.
The league’s financial success is staggering. In 2025, its business valuation hit $18.5 billion—more than the combined worth of all other cricket leagues globally. Broadcasting rights alone generated $1.16 billion in 2025, pushing total revenue to $19.2 billion. This financial clout comes from a combination of factors: India’s cricket obsession, which accounts for 80% of the sport’s global audience; premium broadcasting deals, such as the $6.2 billion sale for the 2023–2027 cycle that equates to $16.8 million per match; and an unmatched economic footprint, with the IPL estimated to contribute over $11 billion annually to India’s economy through tourism, jobs, merchandise, and media. The brand itself is worth $3.9 billion, marking nearly 14% growth from the previous year.
Despite being one of the shortest major sports seasons—just over two months—the IPL punches far above its weight in per-match revenue. Its $16.8 million figure is second only to the NFL’s $40 million and higher than the EPL’s $11 million or the NBA’s $2.5 million. Much of this is due to its exclusive March–May calendar slot, where international cricket pauses entirely, ensuring maximum availability of top players and the undivided attention of fans worldwide. This combination of scarcity, star power, and scheduling strategy has cemented the IPL’s dominance in the cricketing calendar.
The IPL’s biggest strength is its exclusivity like that of overprotective desi parents ‘Our players only play at home, but you’re welcome to visit’. Indian stars can’t play in other leagues, so the world’s best converge only here. Add to that BCCI’s global investments in SA20, ILT20, MLC, CPL, and The Hundred, and you’ve got a cricketing empire in the making. With billion-dollar media rights, a fan base bigger than any other, and a calendar window carved in stone, the IPL isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving like the NFL, NBA, or EPL.
The IPL’s financial and operational model has inspired a wave of franchise-based T20 leagues worldwide. As of 2025, the top eight by valuation are: IPL ($18.5B), ILT20 in the UAE ($15M), South Africa’s SA20 ($12.5M), Australia’s Big Bash League ($10M), England’s The Hundred ($9M), the USA’s Major League Cricket ($6.9M), Pakistan’s PSL ($5.7M), and the Caribbean Premier League ($4.6M). While some of these leagues have found regional success—like the BBL’s family-friendly approach or the CPL’s Caribbean flair—none come close to matching the IPL’s global pull, financial dominance, or exclusivity over top Indian talent.
This dominance will only grow with cricket’s return to the Olympics. T20’s inclusion in LA 2028 offers the IPL an unparalleled platform to showcase its stars and amplify its global influence. In the years leading up to the Games, the league will likely be the prime talent incubator and marketing engine for cricket’s Olympic push. That’s a position no other T20 league can realistically challenge, given the IPL’s unmatched blend of money, talent, and reach.
Ultimately, the IPL is no longer just a domestic cricket tournament—it is a global sports entertainment property. Its short, high-intensity format creates scarcity value, its economics rival the world’s richest leagues, and its control over top talent makes it the undisputed home of T20 cricket. Like the NFL dominates American football, the IPL owns its sport’s premier format. Other leagues may play for a season, but the IPL plays for history… and the bank balance.
Archan Mehta is a writer dedicated to telling compelling stories about athletes, teams, and the world of cricket
