In a major development that captures the growing commercial clout of Indian cricket, Apollo Tyres has been announced as the new jersey sponsor for Team India in a deal worth ₹579.06 crore. This Team India Jersey Sponsorship will run until 2027, replacing Dream11 after the latter’s exit, driven by legislative changes that affected real-money gaming platforms.
The move is widely viewed not just as a financial boost to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), but also as a significant indicator of how traditional brands are willing to step into high-visibility sports partnerships. Over the next three years, Apollo Tyres will feature on Team India’s jersey across both the men’s and women’s teams.
In this post, we’ll unpack what this deal means: how it came about, how it compares to past deals, what Apollo Tyres gains, and what this says about sponsorship trends in Indian cricket.
Why the Team India Jersey Sponsorship Was Up for Grabs?
Dream11 Exit & Regulatory Changes
Dream11, a fantasy-gaming platform which held the jersey sponsorship rights, had to exit the deal prematurely. The driving force was the passing of the Online Gaming Act 2025, which introduced strict rules against real-money gaming advertising and promotions. Under this new act, companies involved in real-money gaming, betting, and similar platforms were barred from sponsoring the Indian cricket team.
This legislative shift left the BCCI without a title or jersey sponsor for Team India during Asia Cup 2025, leading them to invite fresh bids.
The Bidding Process
- After Dream11’s exit, the BCCI released an Expression of Interest (EOI) on 2 September 2025 seeking companies interested in becoming the “Lead Sponsor” of the Indian cricket team’s jersey.
- Apollo Tyres, JK Cements, Canva (and reportedly Birla Optus Paints) submitted bids. Apollo Tyres won the rights with the ₹579 crore bid, surpassing its competitors.
The Financials: What the Deal Looks Like
The Price Tag: ₹579.06 Crore
The full deal is worth around ₹579.06 crore for the period spanning ~three years, until 2027.
Per Match Value
- Apollo Tyres is reportedly paying ₹4.5 crore per match, which is higher than what Dream11 was paying (approx. ₹4 crore per match) under the previous deal.
- Given the number of matches (about 121 bilateral matches + 21 ICC matches) covered under the deal, the average value translates to roughly ₹4.77 crore per match, though the exact sum could vary depending on whether a match is bilateral or part of an ICC tournament.
Coverage
The sponsorship covers both men’s and women’s Indian cricket team jerseys. It’s valid through 2027, which means it will include several major international fixtures, ICC events, and bilateral series.
Comparison with Previous Deals
| Previous Sponsor | Deal Value | Per-Match/Year Value | Duration |
| Dream11 | ~ ₹358 crore | ~ ₹4 crore per match | 3 years (ended early) |
| Apollo Tyres | ₹579.06 crore | ~ ₹4.5-₹4.77 crore per match | 3 years (till 2027) |
So, in financial terms, this new deal offers a significantly higher per-match payout and total package compared to the prior arrangement with Dream11.
What Apollo Tyres Gains?
Brand Visibility
- Team India plays a huge number of matches globally, and the jersey is one of the most visible brand placements in sports. This exposure helps Apollo Tyres reach not only cricket fans in India but also millions globally who follow Indian cricket.
- With both men’s and women’s teams bearing the branding, Apollo Tyres gains visibility across multiple formats and demographics.
Associative Benefits
- Aligning with Indian cricket brings prestige; it’s a status symbol for brands. Apollo Tyres cements its image as a major player, not just in manufacturing tyres but as a deep supporter of India’s sporting identity.
- Given that Dream11’s exit was due to regulatory (gaming) constraints rather than performance, Apollo Tyres stepping in signifies stability and predictability—important for brand trust.
Marketing & Business Leverage
- This partnership gives Apollo Tyres content and storytelling opportunities: campaigns, co-marketing, jerseys, merchandise tie-ups, etc.
- It can help strengthen its brand in existing markets, and potentially open up new ones, given the partnerships and exposure involved.
Implications for BCCI & Indian Cricket
- For the BCCI, this deal recovers lost sponsorship income and even improves the revenue stream compared to what was being earned under Dream11. The ₹579 crore deal is substantially higher than the ₹358 crore Dream11 deal.
- It mitigates risk: Dream11’s exit could have left India without a sponsor at crucial tournaments. Apollo Tyres’ timely entry stabilizes the financial base.
- It demonstrates the resilience and attractiveness of cricket as a platform, even when regulatory shifts occur. Because even after the ban on gaming ads, major non-gaming/non betting brands are still willing to invest big.
Challenges & Considerations
- Visibility Variations: For ICC matches, sponsors may get less prominent jersey位置 (e.g. sleeve rather than chest). Visibility-rights differ, which means actual value per match could vary.
- Merchandise & Return on Investment (ROI): A large part of sponsors’ returns comes not just from being on the jersey, but from merchandise sales, broadcast reach, licensing etc. How Apollo Tyres manages these aspects will be key.
- Regulatory Risks: Although this deal comes after Dream11’s exit, any future policy changes still pose risks. Brands must be aware of compliance, advertising, and image issues.
Broader Trends & What It Signifies
- There’s a shift away from fantasy gaming and real-money platforms as sponsors due to regulatory changes. Traditional brands, especially in sectors like automotive, tyres, manufacturing, are stepping in.
- Sponsorship values continue to climb: per-match fees are increasing, driven by high visibility, fan engagement, digital streaming, global cricketing calendar density.
- Gender inclusion: With both men’s and women’s cricket included, this speaks to growing commercial value in women’s matches, and equality in sports marketing.
What’s Next: How This Deal Will Play Out
- Jersey rollout: When will Apollo Tyres branding appear on jerseys during live events, starting with Asia Cup matches, or in upcoming series & ICC events?
- Activation campaigns: Expect promotional campaigns, TV spots, social media pushes, possibly athlete endorsements, to maximize the exposure.
- Fan perception: How fans react to the new sponsor (logo, design, merchandise) will impact the brand’s goodwill.
- Creative design: The design of the jerseys, and how Apollo’s logo integrates aesthetically, will be scrutinized—brand presence matters, but so does brand display quality.
Conclusion
The ₹579.06 crore deal between Apollo Tyres and BCCI to become Team India’s jersey sponsor till 2027 is more than just a big commercial number. It reflects how Indian cricket continues to draw premium sponsorship dollars, even under regulatory headwinds. It shows the value brands place on sports visibility and how the landscape of sports partnerships is evolving in India.
For Apollo Tyres, the opportunity is large: the chance to associate with national pride, global viewership, and sports culture. For BCCI, it’s a reaffirmation of the sport’s commercial strength. And for fans, it’s a reminder of how integral cricket remains in India’s social, cultural, and commercial fabric.
FAQs
Q1. When does the sponsorship start?
The deal is active from 2025 and runs until 2027. Apollo Tyres will be visible on jerseys from upcoming matches after official announcements.
Q2. Why did Dream11 leave?
Because the Online Gaming Act-2025 banned real-money gaming platforms from advertising and promotion, including sponsorship of national cricket jerseys. Dream11 was affected by this.
Q3. How much will Apollo Tyres pay per match?
Around ₹4.5 crore per match, with some reports saying it averages ₹4.77 crore depending on match type (bilateral vs ICC).
Q4. How does this deal compare to past deals?
It is significantly larger in total value and per-match value compared to Dream11’s previous deal. The previous deal was ₹358 crore over three years.
Q5. Does this deal include women’s cricket as well?
Yes — the deal covers both men’s and women’s jerseys.
Q6. What are the risks?
- Regulatory shifts might still affect sponsorship visibility.
- ROI depends on broadcast, merchandise, and exposure.
- Aesthetics/design and fan acceptance are also important.
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