The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially opened the bidding process for the highly sought-after lead sponsorship rights for the Indian national cricket team. This move comes after fantasy gaming platform Dream11 prematurely exited its contract due to the government’s new Online Gaming Act, 2025. The board has set stringent eligibility criteria to attract only “reputed firms,” including a high financial bar and a ban on several categories of businesses.
The Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI) for the “National Team Lead Sponsor Rights” was released on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The IEOI outlines a detailed process and sets a clear financial benchmark for prospective bidders. To be eligible, a company must demonstrate an average turnover or net worth of at least ₹300 crore over the past three audited years. This high-value requirement is aimed at ensuring that the new sponsor is a financially stable and reputable entity.
In a landmark decision, the BCCI has explicitly barred companies involved in online money gaming, betting, gambling, and cryptocurrency from participating in the bidding. This is a direct consequence of the new government legislation, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which has led to Dream11’s withdrawal. The BCCI’s new guidelines prohibit not just companies directly engaged in these activities but also those that provide related services or have ownership interest in such businesses. The board has also banned companies dealing in tobacco, alcohol, and surrogate branding.
The timeline for the bidding process is tight. Interested parties can purchase the IEOI document for a non-refundable fee of ₹5 lakh plus GST until September 12, 2025. The final bid documents must be submitted by September 16, 2025. With the Asia Cup 2025 set to begin in just a few days, it is highly likely that the Indian men’s team will play the tournament without a lead sponsor on their jersey.
Dream11’s early exit from its ₹358 crore deal, which was set to run until March 2026, has left a significant void. However, the BCCI has clarified that no penalty will be levied on Dream11, acknowledging that their withdrawal is due to a change in government regulation. The board is now looking for a partner for both the men’s and women’s teams across all formats, offering one of the most visible and commercially valuable sponsorship assets in global sports.
This development reflects a new era for sports sponsorship in India, where regulatory changes are shaping commercial partnerships. The BCCI’s firm stance on brand categories and its high financial criteria are aimed at securing a long-term, stable, and morally aligned partner for Team India.
Key Highlights:
- New Bidding Process: The BCCI has initiated the bidding process for the lead sponsor rights of the Indian national cricket team after Dream11’s contract ended prematurely.
- Strict Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility criteria for bidders include a minimum average turnover or net worth of ₹300 crore over the last three years.
- Banned Categories: The BCCI has explicitly barred companies involved in online money gaming, betting, gambling, and cryptocurrency, in compliance with the new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
- Tight Timeline: The bidding window is short, with the final bid submission deadline set for September 16, 2025, which means the Indian team is expected to play without a jersey sponsor in the upcoming Asia Cup.