Fantasy Gaming Exit Triggers IPL Sponsorship Shake-Up
In a major blow to the IPL’s commercial landscape, fantasy gaming platform My11Circle has followed Dream11 in withdrawing from its role as a key sponsor. The departure comes on the heels of sweeping changes introduced under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans Real Money Gaming nationwide.
According to multiple reports, both companies have halted operations in this segment, severely impacting their business models. My11Circle, operated by Games24x7, had secured a five-year IPL sponsorship deal in 2024 worth ₹625 crore (approx. $70.87 million).
“They have recently made it known to us that they cannot continue as their main business has taken a beating,” a BCCI official said, as quoted by both Hindustan Times and MSN.
Financial Fallout and Revenue Gap
My11Circle’s annual contribution of ₹125 crore (approx. $14.17 million) was part of a larger collective sponsorship revenue pool amounting to ₹875 crore (approx. $99.22 million) for the IPL. The exit, compounded by Dream11’s earlier withdrawal as the national team’s jersey sponsor, leaves a significant void.
The online fantasy gaming segment previously pumped over ₹5000 crore (approx. $566.96 million) into advertising for major cricket tournaments. With this revenue stream drying up, the BCCI will need to look toward alternative categories for future partnerships.
BCCI’s Next Moves: New Sponsors and Revised Rates
In an effort to fill the void, the BCCI has set revised base prices for national team jersey sponsorships. The asking price is ₹3.5 crore (approx. $396,870.39) per bilateral match and ₹1.5 crore (approx. $170,087.31) for ICC and ACC events. The board aims to earn a minimum of ₹450 crore (approx. $51.03 million) from a potential three-year deal.
The IPL Governing Council is expected to take up the matter after the BCCI’s AGM later this month. While most other IPL sponsorship deals remain intact through 2028, RuPay’s contract is due to expire in 2026, raising further questions about long-term stability.
Impact on Teams and Players
The immediate financial void may affect not only the league’s commercial operations but also the earnings of IPL teams and players who benefited from endorsement tie-ups with gaming platforms. Currently, the Indian T20 team is training in Dubai for the Asia Cup without any sponsor logos on their kits—a visual representation of the changing dynamics.
As Indian cricket navigates this transition, the exit of My11Circle and Dream11 underscores the far-reaching impact of new regulatory frameworks on the business of sports.
