Indian Premier League media rights boom may level off, with limited growth expected in the next cycle: Report

The next domestic media-rights auction for the Indian Premier League may not see the explosive growth witnessed in the current cycle, with Media Partners Asia projecting values to remain largely flat at around $5.4 billion for 2028–32.

This follows the record-setting 2023–27 deal, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India sold IPL media rights for ₹48,390.32 crore across 410 matches, reshaping the economics of cricket and the wider Indian sports market.

Analysts say the next cycle will be defined less by headline growth and more by sustainability and monetisation. A key factor is the likely increase in the number of matches, which would spread overall value across a larger inventory and potentially lower per-match valuations.

Media rights remain central to the IPL’s business model, with a significant portion of revenues shared equally among franchises—driving their soaring valuations in recent years. A flatter rights cycle may slow that growth, though it does not diminish the league’s overall scale or commercial strength.

The broader ecosystem remains strong, supported by rising advertising revenues and growing audiences on digital platforms like JioStar.

Ultimately, the next IPL auction is expected to test whether the league can maintain premium value in a more mature and expanding market—making it one of the most closely watched media deals in global sport.