BCCI’s Big Move: Apollo Tyres Wins Team India Jersey Rights in ₹579 Crore Deal

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Apollo Tyres as the new lead sponsor of the Indian cricket team’s jersey in a record-breaking agreement worth ₹579 crore. The deal will run until March 2028 and covers both the men’s and women’s national teams across formats. With this, Apollo Tyres takes one of the most visible sponsorship slots in world cricket, placing its brand on the jersey that symbolizes national pride for millions of Indian fans.

This announcement comes in the wake of Dream11 stepping away from the role due to regulatory restrictions that now prevent gaming companies from sponsoring the national cricket jersey. The vacuum created an opportunity for traditional consumer brands to step forward, and Apollo seized it with an aggressive bid. Reports suggest that the company’s winning figure was about 28 percent higher than the BCCI’s reserve price, reflecting the extraordinary value associated with Team India’s global reach.

Source: Indian Express

The numbers behind the contract underline its significance. Media reports indicate that the agreement will cover around 142 matches during its tenure, including 121 bilateral fixtures and 21 ICC events. This brings the per-match valuation to roughly ₹4.5 crore, a figure that highlights the unmatched commercial strength of Indian cricket.

Few sporting properties worldwide command this level of sponsorship, and for Apollo Tyres it represents an opportunity to gain billions of impressions through broadcast, digital platforms, and on-ground exposure.

The bidding process itself was competitive, attracting interest from several major companies. Canva, JK Cements and its associate JK Tyre, along with Birla Optus Paints, were among the names linked with the race for the jersey rights. Ultimately, Apollo’s bid outpaced the others, securing the contract and positioning the company at the center of Indian cricket’s commercial landscape.

Source: Economic Times

For the BCCI, the deal provides much-needed stability in its sponsorship portfolio. The revenue generated is not simply about branding; it directly supports the operations of Indian cricket at multiple levels. Money from such partnerships is often invested in infrastructure, player welfare, domestic tournaments, and the expansion of women’s cricket.

At a time when categories like gaming, betting, and crypto are barred, the ability to attract a ₹579 crore commitment from a traditional consumer brand demonstrates the board’s ongoing dominance in the sponsorship market.

Compared with the previous deal held by Dream11, Apollo’s agreement is a step up both in value and scope. Dream11’s sponsorship had been pegged at a lower figure, and there were concerns that restrictions on gaming companies would dampen interest in future contracts.

Instead, Apollo’s record bid has reaffirmed the BCCI’s power to command top-dollar sponsorships, proving once again that the Indian team’s jersey is not just a piece of sporting attire but a global marketing platform.

Source: Hindustan Times

For Apollo Tyres, the benefits are enormous. Beyond the exposure on live broadcasts and highlight reels, the company gains an emotional association with the Indian cricket team.

Every time players walk out wearing the jersey, the brand shares space with the pride and passion of more than a billion fans. This emotional connection, combined with international visibility, gives Apollo a platform to reinforce its global ambitions and strengthen its recall in both domestic and overseas markets.

Looking forward, the Apollo deal could set the tone for future sponsorships. With gaming brands sidelined, companies from consumer goods, automotive, industrial, and even technology sectors are likely to view cricket sponsorship as an even more attractive investment.

The Apollo agreement shows that despite restrictions, the commercial value of Indian cricket is only rising. For fans, the change will be visible when Team India takes the field in their new jerseys. For the BCCI, it marks another leap in its already impressive financial ecosystem. And for Apollo, it is a statement of intent, blending business strategy with national pride.

In the end, this is more than a commercial contract. It is a reminder that Indian cricket continues to be the single most powerful sporting property in the country and one of the most valuable in the world. Apollo Tyres’ ₹579 crore sponsorship proves that even in a shifting regulatory environment, the game’s reach and influence remain unmatched, ensuring that the Indian jersey remains one of the most coveted spaces in global sport.

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