Apollo Tyres has recently secured a deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to become the new jersey sponsor for the Indian cricket team. The ₹579 crore agreement spans from September 30, 2025, to March 31, 2028, covering approximately 140 matches, including 121 bilateral games and 21 ICC matches. This arrangement follows the premature conclusion of BCCI's previous sponsorship with Dream11, which ended due to the government's ban on real-money gaming under the Online Gaming Act, 2025.
Under the terms, Apollo Tyres will pay ₹4.5 crore per match, exceeding the ₹4 crore paid by Dream11. This substantial increase in per-match value underscores the strong commercial appeal of Indian cricket. Several other companies, including Canva and JK Cement, vied for the sponsorship rights, but Apollo Tyres emerged victorious with its competitive bid.
Cricket Jersey Sponsorships: A Comparison
While the Apollo Tyres deal is a significant one, it's essential to contextualize it within the broader landscape of cricket jersey sponsorships. Here's a look at some of the most expensive deals in Indian cricket history:
- Oppo (2017-2019): ₹1,079 crore (approximately $162 million)
- Byju's (2019-2023): ₹1,000 crore (approximately $150 million)
- Apollo Tyres (2025-2028): ₹579 crore
- Dream11 (2023-2026): ₹358 crore (approximately $54 million)
Historically, Sahara paid ₹3.34 crore (approximately $505,000) per match between 2001 and 2013, while Star India paid ₹1.92 crore (approximately $290,000) per match from 2014-2017.
When compared to the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Apollo Tyres deal also holds a significant position. For instance, Mumbai Indians have a deal with Lauritz Knudsen for ₹40 crore per season, and Chennai Super Kings have a deal with TVS Eurogrip for ₹33.3 crore per season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a deal with Qatar Airways for ₹25 crore per season.
Sponsorships Across Sports
To truly grasp the magnitude of the Apollo Tyres-BCCI partnership, it's helpful to compare it with major sports sponsorships globally.
- Nike and the NFL (2020-2030): $7 billion
- Adidas and Manchester United (2015-2035): $1.3 billion
- Emirates and Arsenal (2006-2028): $900 million
- PepsiCo and the NBA (2015-Present): $1 billion+
In terms of annual value, some of the largest shirt sponsorships in football include:
- Real Madrid (Emirates): $74 million per year
- Manchester City (Etihad Airways): $79 million per year
- Manchester United (Snapdragon): $68.66 million per year
- FC Barcelona (Spotify): $77 million per year
These figures highlight that while the Apollo Tyres sponsorship is a valuable asset for Indian cricket, sponsorships in other major sports, particularly in leagues like the NFL and prominent football clubs, command significantly higher financial figures.
In conclusion, the Apollo Tyres' ₹579 crore deal with the BCCI is a significant sponsorship in the world of cricket, reflecting the strong brand value and commercial appeal of the Indian cricket team. While it ranks among the top sponsorships in Indian cricket, it is dwarfed by the larger, more lucrative deals seen in sports like American football and European football.
