Apollo Tyres Wins Team India Lead Sponsorship: ₹579 Crore Deal, 2025–2028
Table of Contents
- Summary
- What BCCI Announced
- Timeline of Key Events
- What the Contract Covers
- How the Bidding Worked
- Price Structure and a Simple Math Check
- Why Dream11 Exited
- What Apollo Tyres Gains
- What It Means for BCCI and Indian Cricket
- Sponsorship History and Comparisons
- Risks and Open Questions
- Outlook for 2025–2028
- Method and Sources
- Key Takeaways Table
Summary
Apollo Tyres will appear on Team India’s jersey from late 2025 to March 2028. BCCI picked the company after a bidding round in September 2025. The deal is worth ₹579 crore for 142 matches. Dream11 left the jersey after the new Online Gaming law stopped money-based gaming and barred such brands from sports kits. The agreement covers both the men’s and women’s national teams.
What BCCI Announced
BCCI named Apollo Tyres as the new lead sponsor on September 16, 2025. The board said the deal runs to March 2028. This marks Apollo’s first jersey role with Indian cricket. Officials said the value shows strong interest in national-team rights.
Timeline of Key Events
- August 2025: Reports say Dream11 plans an exit after the Online Gaming Bill passes.
- August 25, 2025: Indian media state that BCCI will drop Dream11 because of the new law.
- September 16, 2025: BCCI confirms Apollo Tyres as the new sponsor through March 2028.
- Mid-September 2025: Business outlets report the value and duration. They note the logo will appear on all match kits.
What the Contract Covers
The deal runs to March 2028 and covers 142 matches. This includes 121 bilateral games and 21 ICC games. The logo will appear on the men’s and women’s kits in all formats.
Before the signing, India played the 2025 Asia Cup without a lead sponsor, which showed a short gap between the exit and the new agreement.
How the Bidding Worked
Apollo Tyres won with a ₹579 crore bid. Canva bid ₹544 crore and JK Cements bid ₹477 crore. Birla Optus Paints showed interest but did not reach the final stage.
The tender set base rates at ₹3.5 crore for each bilateral match and ₹1.5 crore for each ICC match. Apollo’s offer cleared both levels and topped its rivals.
Price Structure and a Simple Math Check
The total is ₹579 crore for 142 matches. This gives an average of about ₹4.08 crore per match.
Some reports mention about ₹4.5 crore for a bilateral match. That fits the higher base for bilateral games and the lower base for ICC games.
One report lists a ₹4.77 crore average. That number does not match the match count and the total. Based on the official figures, the blended average is about ₹4.08 crore.
Why Dream11 Exited
The Online Gaming Bill, passed in August 2025, banned money-based games and blocked their advertising and sponsorship. Dream11 then stepped away from the jersey.
BCCI said it would avoid brands tied to betting, gaming, crypto, and tobacco.
During that period, Dream11 shifted to ad-funded contests after the law removed its main model. This shift explains its decision to end the deal.
What Apollo Tyres Gains
Wide jersey presence. The logo will appear on India’s match kits in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Global reach. Apollo sells tyres under Apollo and Vredestein in more than 100 countries. The jersey lifts visibility in many of those markets.
Sports fit. The company extended its partnership with Manchester United through 2028 and has supported football clubs in India. Cricket adds another major sport to its profile.
For a retail-heavy brand, steady match exposure helps recall and builds ties with younger fans.
What It Means for BCCI and Indian Cricket
The figure shows that Indian cricket remains strong for major consumer brands. The deal lifts value over the Dream11 contract despite the legal shift.
Competition in the tender was firm. Multiple companies placed high offers, which points to steady demand.
BCCI also reduces compliance risks by staying clear of restricted categories.
Sponsorship History and Comparisons
Dream11 took the jersey in 2023 for about ₹358 crore over three years. The new law ended that path, which forced a quick change.
Apollo’s ₹579 crore agreement raises the value and stretches to March 2028.
During the 2025 Asia Cup, India played without a jersey sponsor. This gap highlights how fast BCCI needed a new brand.
Risks and Open Questions
Rate clarity. Per-format fees are not public. The blended averages point to higher bilateral fees and lower ICC fees.
Timing gaps. The 2025 Asia Cup shows that rollout delays can appear during a change in sponsor.
Legal stability. The agreement rests on current rules on online gaming. Future changes could shift the sponsor pool again.
Brand impact. The benefit for Apollo depends on how it supports the tie with campaigns and retail work.
Outlook for 2025–2028
The 142-match schedule offers steady exposure in India and overseas. The share of men’s and women’s fixtures broadens reach.
Apollo is likely to link the sponsorship with match-day offers, athlete work, and store campaigns.
For BCCI, the agreement shows that national-team rights keep drawing strong bids from mainstream brands, even after gaming exits the field.
Method and Sources
The article draws on BCCI statements, Apollo Tyres announcements, and coverage in business and sports media.
Where fees by format were unclear, simple calculations used the total value and match count.
Bilateral and ICC averages rely on base rates and reported bids.
Key facts at a glance
- Sponsor: Apollo Tyres
- Term: Through March 2028
- Value: ₹579 crore
- Matches: 142 total (121 bilateral, 21 ICC)
- Scope: Men’s and women’s national teams
- Context: Dream11 exit after the Online Gaming law banned money-based gaming sponsorships
Key Takeaways Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| New Lead Sponsor | Apollo Tyres becomes Team India’s jersey sponsor from late 2025 to March 2028. |
| Deal Value & Scope | ₹579 crore for 142 matches, covering both men’s and women’s national teams in all formats. |
| Match Composition | 121 bilateral games and 21 ICC matches under the contract. |
| Bidding Outcome | Apollo outbid Canva (₹544 crore) and JK Cements (₹477 crore) to win the tender. |
| Regulatory Trigger | Dream11 exited after the Online Gaming Bill banned money-based gaming sponsorships and ads. |
| Strategic Benefits to Apollo | Enhanced global visibility, youth connect, and alignment with existing football sponsorships. |
| Impact on BCCI & Cricket | Confirms strong brand demand for Team India rights and lowers compliance risks by avoiding restricted sectors. |