The Indian Premier League (IPL) brings in a slew of new title sponsors regularly. Some of these sponsors are household names, while others are relatively unknown. In this article, we’ll look at all the title sponsors of the IPL over the years and what they’ve contributed to the tournament. From DLF to TATA, know about all the title sponsors of IPL over the years! The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most eagerly awaited cricket tournaments globally. Held every year in April and May, it features some of the best players in the world playing against each other in various exciting matches. For the initial years, DLF has been the title sponsor of the IPL, which has given the company a lot of exposure and prestige. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the promoter of world-class cricket entertainment. The tournament combines the very best in cricketing talent in India, playing alongside some of the best international players. The league provides exciting cricket played under lights and in front of packed stadiums. The Indian Premier League, or IPL for short, is a domestic Twenty-20 cricket competition in India that usually takes place between April and July. It is the most-attended cricket tournament globally and generates more excitement among spectators. Here’s a list of all title sponsors of the IPL over the years! Details of all the IPL Title Sponsors The IPL is the most expensive cricket league globally, with each team required to invest around USD 2.5 million per year in player salaries and other team expenses. The IPL is the premier Twenty20 league globally and is widely considered the most important tournament for India’s domestic cricket scene. The Indian Premier League has been one of the most thrilling and watched cricket tournaments globally. Over the years, IPL has attracted many big brands as title sponsors, which has helped raise the brand value of the league significantly. This year too, TATA, one of the biggest brands in India, has come together as title sponsors to make this edition the biggest one yet. Let’s take a closer look at the title sponsors of IPL. 1. DLF (2008 to 2012) Delhi Land & Finance is a real estate development company based in India and is one of the largest diversified Indian conglomerates. DLF Limited was incorporated as a limited liability company in July 1945 and began its operations mainly in the infrastructure sector. In the 2008 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), DLF became the title sponsor, replacing previous sponsors Sahara. The company had paid $100 million for a four-year deal, making it one of the most expensive sponsorships in cricket history. The agreement was extended in 2012 for five years for $150 million, making it the most valuable IPL sponsorship ever. 2. Pepsi (2013 to 2015) Pepsi, the soft drinks behemoth, came in to sponsor the IPL in 2013 when DLF decided not to extend the arrangement, and it was the second company to support the IPL. Pepsi was the official drink sponsor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2013 to 2015. The corporation could obtain the rights with an offer of Rs 396 crore for a five-year term. Because of the spot-fixing suspicions circulating the lucrative league, the beverage business’s contract expired in 2017, but the corporation stepped out a year ahead of schedule. 3. Vivo (2016 to 2020) Vivo, a Chinese smartphone company, first signed a two-year deal with BCCI in 2016 after putting an offer of Rs 100 crore. But they did not stop there and in the year 2018 the company again did a massive bid of Rs 2,199 crore, Vivo renewed and secured the sponsorship rights for another five years. Every year, the mobile phone manufacturer paid around Rs 439.8 crore during the complete tenure. However, because of the military standoff between India and China, it canceled the arrangement before the contract expired in 2020. Indian fans chastised the company, and a call to ‘Boycott China’ grew popular. 4. Dream11 (2020) We all have come across the innovative ads of Dream 11 featuring our favorite cricketers. Well, the startup looks high on cash as Dream11, the fantasy game platform, subsequently moved in to fill the void left by Vivo with an offer of Rs. 222 crores! 5. Vivo (2021) Vivo returned once more and this time the company paid Rs 439.8 crore. Sponsorship rights were awarded to the corporation for five years, from 2018 to 2022. Vivo returned in 2021, expecting that the tensions between the two countries would have subsided. However, it has remained a source of concern for the corporation. In 2021, Vivo was hopeful that the Sino-Indian hostilities would fade away. Although, it still remained a source of respect for the corporation. 6. TATA (2022-2023) TATA Group is India’s largest commercial and enterprising group. In 2007, the group’s turnover was US$33 billion (Rs.1.8 trillion), making it one of the top 10 global business groups. TATA Group has six leading operating companies: Automobiles, Hotels and Leisure Services, IT Services, Engineering and Construction, Telecommunications, and Financial Services. The Tata group purchased the title sponsorship rights for around Rs 355 crore (per year). They will have requests for the 2022 and 2023 seasons and are said to be in the running for future years if the BCCI issues another tender.
From DLF To TATA: Know About All Title Sponsors of IPL Over The Years!
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a diverse range of title sponsors over the years, each contributing to the tournament’s success and elevating its brand value. Let’s take a closer look at the evolution of IPL title sponsors:
- DLF (2008 to 2012):
- DLF Limited, a real estate development company, became the inaugural title sponsor of the IPL in 2008.
- The four-year deal, worth $100 million, was extended in 2012 for an additional five years at $150 million, making it the most valuable IPL sponsorship ever.
- DLF’s association with the IPL marked the early years of the tournament’s rise to prominence.
- Pepsi (2013 to 2015):
- In 2013, Pepsi, a global soft drinks giant, took over as the title sponsor from DLF.
- The five-year deal, valued at Rs 396 crore, marked Pepsi’s official drink sponsorship of the IPL.
- The contract expired in 2017 due to spot-fixing suspicions, but Pepsi stepped out a year ahead of schedule.
- Vivo (2016 to 2020):
- Chinese smartphone company Vivo entered the scene in 2016, signing a two-year deal with the BCCI.
- In 2018, Vivo renewed and secured sponsorship rights for another five years with a massive bid of Rs 2,199 crore.
- The annual payment by Vivo amounted to around Rs 439.8 crore during the complete tenure.
- The sponsorship was canceled in 2020 amid the India-China military standoff, leading to a call to ‘Boycott China.’
- Dream11 (2020):
- In 2020, fantasy game platform Dream11 stepped in to fill the void left by Vivo with an offer of Rs 222 crores.
- The innovative ads featuring cricketers and the startup’s association with IPL marked a unique chapter in the tournament’s sponsorship history.
- Vivo (2021):
- Vivo returned in 2021, paying Rs 439.8 crore for the sponsorship rights.
- The company expected tensions between India and China to have subsided, but concerns remained a topic of discussion.
- TATA (2022-2023):
- TATA Group, India’s largest commercial conglomerate, became the title sponsor for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
- The TATA Group purchased the title sponsorship rights for approximately Rs 355 crore per year, continuing the tradition of prominent brands associating with the IPL.
- The group’s diverse portfolio and financial prowess add a new dimension to the tournament’s sponsorship landscape.
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The ever-changing roster of title sponsors reflects the dynamic nature of the IPL and its ability to attract both established and emerging brands. As TATA takes the reins for the current seasons, cricket enthusiasts await future developments in the world of IPL sponsorships.