For those of you pondering over the question of which franchise is the most expensive IPL team, well, the 2025 numbers show that it is Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Having had a fantastic season and done excellent business off the field, RCB is on top of the valuation chart now.
Here, I unpack what “most expensive” means in this case, the numbers that explain the headline, why valuations are up so much this year, and what it says about the business ecosystem of the IPL.
What “Most Expensive” Means
So when analysts say the “most expensive” or “most valuable” IPL teams, they’re talking about brand/franchise valuation – a formula that takes into account revenue streams (or lack thereof), commercial deals, broadcasting rights value, presence on digital media and social networking platforms, strength of brand, retail merchandise sales, and expected growth. This value may not translate directly into a sale price like it does for real estate, but it is by far the best market-proxy estimate of what a team is worth.
Most Expensive IPL Team 2026
| Rank | IPL Team | Brand Value (USD) | Approx. Value (INR Crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | USD 269 M | ₹ 2,327 Cr |
| 2 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | USD 242 M | ₹ 2,094 Cr |
| 3 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | USD 235 M | ₹ 2,033 Cr |
| 4 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | USD 222–227 M (report variation) | ₹ 1,918–1,905 Cr |
| 5 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | USD 154 M | ₹ 1,331 Cr |
| 6 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | USD 152 M | ₹ 1,314 Cr |
| 7 | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | USD 146 M | ₹ 1,262 Cr |
| 8 | Gujarat Titans (GT) | USD 142 M | ₹ 1,227 Cr |
| 9 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | USD 141 M | ₹ 1,219 Cr |
| 10 | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | USD 122 M | ₹ 1,054 Cr |
How RCB Soared to the Top in 2025
A few factors helped push RCB up the valuation rankings this year:
- On-field success: first IPL title After finally landing their first IPL title in 2025, it brought a significant lift in merchandise demand, sponsor interest, and fan anticipation—collectively driving brand value.
- Huge fan base + social media engagement – RCB, traditionally, has always been one of the most viewed teams in terms of fans (read Digital monetization), merchandise, and brand equity down the line.
- Better commercial agreements & sponsorships – impressive marketing strategies, hefty sponsor deals, and healthy monetization of broadcast rights played a huge role in boosting the franchise’s overall value.
- League-wide value appreciation & tailwinds – The entire league continues to grow in popularity and commercial scale, and the teams that can maximize on-field success with off-field brand management have seen the greatest rewards.
What This Means for Fans and the League
- Fans: Should have better experiences – Higher valuations usually lead to higher budgets for player acquisition, a better stadium experience (if applicable), cooler merchandise, and more content/engagement around the team.
- For the league: a more robust commercial ecosystem – High franchise valuations make the league more appealing to both local and global investors, sponsors, and broadcasters – in a virtuous cycle of growth, investment, and exposure.
- Competitive pressure & ambition across teams – With RCB leading, others want to do right by players, and in doing so also invest in branding, fan engagement, and marketing - raising overall standards.
Cautions & Considerations
- Valuations are a matter of methodology & exchange rates – Reports differ in their valuation methodologies, revenue estimates, and production currency conversions - so there could be some variance.
- Valuation sale price or guaranteed revenue – Brand value estimates are an approximation based on commercial strength, so the actual sales price – if a franchise is sold – may be higher or lower depending on various reasons.
- Fortunes of the team can go up or down – again, on-field performance, sponsorship deals, player retention, and public mood can change -valuations are not static.
FAQs on Most Expensive IPL Team
1. Which is the most expensive IPL team in 2025?
Ans: The most expensive IPL team 2025 is Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and it’s worth has been estimated around $269 million.
2. How are IPL team valuations arrived at?
Ans: All valuations derived from revenue streams, sponsorship deals, broadcast rights value, brand strength, consumer base and market growth potential, social media activity and long-term commercial impact.
3. Does on-field performance drive team value?
Ans: Yes. Strong performances – making it to playoffs or winning the IPL – significantly boost merchandise sales, sponsor interest and fan engagement leading to larger brand values.
4. Is IPL franchise valuation dynamic every year?
Ans: Absolutely. Sponsorship deals, a shuffle of the squad, performance in the season and growth in media rights, along with digital engagement trends can cause regular changes to a team’s valuation.
5. Does valuation equal the price someone pays for a team?
Ans: No – because valuation is an estimation of economic value. If a franchise were sold, any sale price may be higher or lower than asked sales prices due to negotiations economic and market conditions.
