RCB Becomes IPL’s Most Valuable Team, Beats CSK

For years, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ruled the IPL, not just with their performance but also in the brand value of IPL team rankings. Thanks to MS Dhoni’s leadership, they were always seen as the face of the IPL: successful on the field, hugely popular, and a strong bet commercially.

In 2025, The Game Changed.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), a team with a massive fan following but no trophies till now, finally turned things around. They won their first-ever IPL title and also became the most valuable franchise, overtaking both CSK and Mumbai Indians in IPL brand value.

As per global investment bank Houlihan Lokey, RCB’s brand is now worth $269 million, a sharp 18.5% rise from last year. In comparison, CSK’s brand rose only slightly to $235 million, putting them behind RCB and Mumbai Indians.

And that’s not all,the IPL as a business has seen huge growth. The league’s overall valuation touched $18.5 billion in 2025, showing just how powerful the brand value of IPL team can become when performance and media strategy align.

Looking at the IPL team brand value 2022, CSK had the lead, while MI and RCB followed closely. However things began shifting from IPL team brand value 2023 onward when RCB dipped, only to bounce back by IPL team brand value 2024. Their 2025 rise is the biggest yet.

How Big Is The IPL Economy Right Now?

Here’s the broader picture:

• The IPL brand value is now $18.5 billion, up from $16.4 billion in 2023.

• The combined brand value of IPL team assets across all ten franchises is now $3.9 billion, a 13.8% year-over-year growth.

• RCB leads at $269 million, followed by MI ($242M) and CSK ($235M).

• Punjab Kings had the highest growth (48%) thanks to a surprise finals appearance and great online engagement.

These figures clearly show that IPL franchises are no longer just cricket teams. They’re powerful media and business assets. Higher brand value of an IPL team means more money, more attention, and more long-term value for investors.

What Worked For RCB?

1. That First-Ever Championship

After years of falling short, RCB finally won their first title in 2025. That one win made a huge impact on the brand value of IPL team from being a fan-favourite to a title-winning team. Winning drives sponsorship, boosts fan loyalty, and makes a team stand out in a crowded league.

2. Insane Viewership Numbers

The 2025 final, where RCB beat Punjab Kings, hit 578 million+ views on JioCinema—a record.
RCB also topped all teams in social media engagement, which today is a huge driver of IPL brand value. With 21 million+ followers on Instagram and a thriving YouTube presence, they’ve turned into a content machine.

3. Bigger, Better Sponsors

RCB now works with brands like Puma, Dream11, Birla Estates, and Nothing. They’re not just doing traditional jersey ads anymore—they’re building storytelling-led partnerships, which strengthen long-term recall and brand expansion.

4. Ownership and Future Plans

RCB is owned by Diageo via United Spirits, and there’s buzz that they might sell a stake. The team is being valued at $2 billion, which is nearly 7.5 times more than their 2025 brand value of $269 million.This gap shows investor confidence and the future potential of the business.

What went wrong for CSK?

Even though CSK is one of the most loved and successful franchises, their IPL team brand value 2025 grew only slightly, and they dropped to third place.

1. Missed Playoffs

CSK didn’t make it to the playoffs this year. That hurt their ticket sales, sponsorship exposure, and online engagement—all key pieces of brand growth.

2. Still Reliant on Dhoni

MS Dhoni is iconic, but CSK hasn’t managed to build a fresh brand beyond him. Now that he’s stepping back, the team lacks a clear face or new identity.

3. Weak Sponsor Value

One of their top partners, Amazon Pay, also saw a dip in value. That, along with CSK’s lower screen time, reduced their ability to charge premium rates from sponsors.

4. Lack of Digital Innovation

While teams like RCB are killing it on reels and YouTube, CSK has played it too safe. Without strong digital content, they’re missing out on the growing digital fan base.

What’s Next in the IPL Business Game?

Here’s what will drive IPL team brand value going forward:

• On-field consistency: Winning still matters the most.

• Digital evolution: Streaming, social media, content—this is the new arena.

• Smart brand management: Teams that evolve beyond a single face or formula will stay relevant.

• Investment interest: More and more franchises will explore selling stakes, which will keep valuations competitive.

Right now, RCB checks all the boxes. CSK has some catching up to do, especially in refreshing its brand and levelling up its digital game.

Which factors will decide the next valuation cycle?

What we’re seeing isn’t just about cricket teams gaining popularity; it’s about the IPL evolving into a serious business model. The league is now a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem, with franchises acting more like entertainment brands than sports clubs. 

Each team is building year-round revenue streams through content creation, merchandise, licensing, partnerships, and even fan tokens. The days when team value was linked only to match-day revenue or TV deals are gone. Investors are now looking at metrics like digital traction, influencer marketing, fan community strength, and sponsor stickiness. 

Franchises like RCB and MI are leaning into these changes, which explains their steep rise in the brand value of IPL team rankings. Meanwhile, the more traditional or slower-moving teams may struggle to keep pace. As the IPL brand value continues to grow globally, the league is becoming more attractive to institutional investors, international sponsors, and even tech companies wanting a piece of the fan economy. 

What started as a cricket league is now being treated like a media-tech hybrid, and that’s a massive opportunity for anyone with an eye on high-growth, sports-adjacent ventures.