Mumbai – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited fresh bids for Team India’s title sponsorship after fantasy sports platform Dream11 pulled out of its contract. The withdrawal comes following the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans real money gaming in the country.
Dream11 had secured the rights in a deal worth USD 44 million (₹358 crore) for the 2023–2026 cycle but exited with almost a year left. Along with My11Circle, the platform had jointly contributed close to ₹1,000 crore to the BCCI through sponsorship of both the national team and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The BCCI, in its latest invitation for Expressions of Interest (IEOI), has barred companies involved in online money gaming, betting, and gambling from bidding. Firms linked to tobacco, alcohol, pornography, and cryptocurrency are also excluded from the process.
Interested companies can purchase the IEOI until September 12, with the submission deadline set for September 16. Bidders must meet strict financial criteria, including an average annual turnover or net worth of at least ₹300 crore over the last three years.
Several brand categories remain blocked due to ongoing sponsorship agreements. These include athleisure and sportswear (Adidas), banking and financial services (IDFC First Bank, SBI Life), non-alcoholic beverages (Campa Cola), home appliances, and insurance. The cricket board has also clarified that surrogate branding will not be permitted, preventing firms from using proxy entities to bypass category restrictions.
A senior BCCI official said Dream11 will not face penalties for ending the deal early, citing compliance with the new law. “This is a government rule and full compliance is required. Their business will be impacted, but we understand their situation. Hence, there will be no penalty,” the official said.
Industry experts believe the sponsorship opportunity is likely to attract major brands from technology, consumer goods, and telecom sectors, given the unmatched global visibility of Indian cricket.
