Apollo Tyres has officially replaced Dream11 as the new jersey sponsor for both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams, in a record-breaking ₹579 crore deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The agreement spans two and a half years and runs through March 2028, marking a major shift in Indian cricket’s sponsorship landscape.
Apollo Tyres makes debut in Indian cricket sponsorship
This is the first time Apollo Tyres has entered the Indian cricket sponsorship arena. The tyre major’s logo will feature on Team India jerseys across all formats in 121 bilateral matches and 21 ICC games, offering unmatched visibility during one of the busiest international cricket calendars.
“The agreement spans two and a half years concluding in March 2028. Under the terms of the deal, the Apollo Tyres logo will be featured on the jerseys of the Indian men’s and women’s national teams across all formats. This partnership succeeds the previous sponsorship held by Dream11,” the BCCI stated.
Record ₹579 crore bid beats Canva and JK Cements
According to the Times of India, Apollo Tyres outbid Canva (₹544 crore) and JK Cements (₹477 crore) in a competitive process. The ₹579 crore valuation is significantly higher than Dream11’s previous ₹358 crore deal, making it one of the most valuable jersey sponsorships in Indian cricket history.
“The new partnership, secured after a rigorous bidding process, represents a substantial increase in sponsorship value, signifying the immense and growing commercial appeal of Indian cricket,” said the BCCI in a statement.
Dream11 exits due to gaming regulations
The change in sponsorship follows the introduction of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans real-money gaming companies from sponsoring or advertising in India. This forced Dream11 to withdraw just before the Asia Cup, leaving Team India temporarily without a kit sponsor.
The act explicitly states: “…no person shall offer any, aid, abet, induce, indulge, engage in offering online money gaming services nor shall involve in any advertisement which directly or indirectly promotes any person to play any online money game.”
Global branding strategy for Apollo Tyres
Operating in over 100 countries, Apollo Tyres views this partnership as a critical step in enhancing its global brand presence through cricket. The deal is valued at an average of ₹4.77 crore per match, with variable rates depending on match type.
“Cricket’s unmatched popularity in India and worldwide makes it an honour for us to become the National Team Lead Sponsor of Team India,” said Neeraj Kanwar, vice-chairman and managing director of Apollo Tyres. “This partnership is about national pride, strengthening consumer trust, and showcasing Apollo as a true leader in our category.”
The Apollo Tyres logo is expected to first appear during the India A vs Australia A ODI series starting September 30 in Kanpur, followed by the India vs West Indies Test series and a white-ball tour of Australia.
Women’s team to debut Apollo logo at 2025 World Cup
The sponsorship also includes the Indian women’s cricket team. While they are currently playing without a sponsor, new kits featuring Apollo branding are expected to be introduced at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting September 30.
“The arrival of Apollo Tyres as our new sponsor is a testament to the hard work and consistent performance of our teams,” said BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. “This is more than a commercial agreement; it’s a partnership between two institutions that have earned the trust and respect of millions.”
Resilient BCCI rebounds amid sponsorship uncertainty
The Apollo Tyres deal was finalized despite early skepticism over the BCCI’s ability to attract top-tier bids following the real-money gaming ad ban. The successful bidding process, held at BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, reportedly also drew interest from Shank Air and Omniyat, though they did not submit final bids.
Apollo’s bid was reportedly structured with strategic input from WPP Media, signaling a long-term investment in cricket as part of the company’s broader brand-building efforts.
