To dish out Rs 500 crore per season till 2028

The BCCI on Saturday awarded the title sponsorship rights for the Indian Premier League to TATA Group for a period of five years. The Indian conglomerate, with diverse verticals, has renewed its association with the BCCI for a record-breaking value of Rs. 2500 crore (i.e Rs 500 crore per season) —the highest-ever sponsorship amount in the history of the league. The BCCI earlier had set the base price for the five-year rights at Rs 1750 crore, that translated to Rs 350 crore per year for 74 matches, in addition to factoring for 84 and 94 matches at base prices of Rs 375 crore and Rs 400 crore .

The same comes at the backdrop of a similar offer by presented by the only bidder Aditya Birla Group in response to the BCCI’s Invitation To Tender (ITT) document issued earlier on 12 December, 2023. As per the governing body of cricket in India, in the ‘Under the Terms’ section that was documented in its ITT, TATA had the freedom to match any competitive offer made by another corporate entity. 

The TATA Group which has been one of the major sponsors in sporting arenas over the years and had also sponsored the first Indian team to Olympics through its founder Sir Dorabji Tata, an  renowned sportsperson and first President of IOA at Antwerp in 1920 and later partly funded the expenses that was incurred by the national team’s participation in the Paris Olympics held in 1924.

The TATA group which previously held the title sponsorship rights for the IPL in 2022 and 2023 for Rs 670 crore for the two-year rights., after Chinese mobile major Vivo withdrew from the same following diplomatic tensions between the two countries. In addition it is also the title sponsor of the Women’s Premier League, the biggest women’s T20 league in the world.

Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary of BCCI on the landmark sponsorship rights of IPL, said,  "We are elated to announce the partnership with the TATA Group as the Title Sponsors of the IPL. The league has transcended borders, captivating audiences worldwide with its unmatched blend of skill, excitement, and entertainment. Similarly, the TATA Group, rooted in India, has emerged as a symbol of excellence, making its mark across diverse global sectors. This collaboration embodies the spirit of growth, innovation, and a mutual dedication to excellence. The unprecedented financial commitment reflects the immense scale and global impact of the IPL on the international sports stage.”

Arun Singh Dhumal, Chairperson of IPL, added, "The collaboration with TATA Group for the title sponsorship of IPL 2024-28 is a significant milestone in IPL’s journey. The record-breaking sum of INR 2500 crore by TATA Group is a testament to the immense value and appeal that the IPL holds in the world of sports. This unprecedented amount not only sets a new benchmark in the history of the league but also reaffirms the IPL's position as a premier sporting event with global impact. TATA Group’s commitment to cricket and sports is truly commendable, and we look forward to scaling new heights together and providing fans with unparalleled cricketing entertainment."