The Indian Premier League (IPL) streaming and television rights for the next five years have been sold for a record $6.02 billion.
For $3.05 billion, Viacom18, backed by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has obtained streaming rights until 2027.
The $3.05 billion television contract was retained by Disney-owned Star India.
The two accords are more than quadruple the $2.4 billion Star paid for the IPL’s previous five seasons.
In terms of cost-per-match, the IPL is among the highest-ranked sports leagues, alongside the NFL in the United States and the English Premier League.
The winning prize for the TV rights was $7.36 million per game for a term that includes 410 IPL matches.
The annual two-month competition’s digital streaming rights were auctioned for $6.4 million per match starting in 2023.
The cash generated by the IPL, according to Jay Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, aids grassroots cricket in the country by sponsoring infrastructure renovations and facilities.IPL
“Now, it’s time for our state associations, IPL franchises to work together with the IPL to enhance the fan experience and ensure that our biggest stakeholder – the cricket fan – is well looked after,” he added.
The previous cycle comprised 60 matches per season for five years.
For the new five-year cycle the IPL has listed a varying number of matches per season ranging from 74 games each in 2023 and ‘24, 84 matches each in 2025 and ‘26, and a maximum of 94 matches for the final year of the deal in 2027.
