The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially named Apollo Tyres as the new jersey sponsor for the Indian men’s and women’s national cricket teams. The agreement follows the exit of fantasy-gaming firm Dream11 from the sponsorship slot under fresh regulations restricting real-money gaming. Apollo Tyres’ deal is set to run through 2027, marking one of the largest and most strategically significant partnerships in recent Indian cricket history.
Key Details of the Deal
Value & Duration: The contract is reportedly worth ₹579 crore for three years, covering approximately 142 matches — including bilateral, ICC, men’s, and women’s games.
Per Match Fee: Apollo Tyres will pay ₹4.5 crore per match, surpassing Dream11’s earlier rate of ₹4 crore per game.
Who’s Covered: The sponsorship applies to both the India men’s team, currently playing in Asia Cup, and the women’s team, which is engaging in an ODI series against Australia. It remains to be confirmed whether the women’s team will feature Apollo Tyres on their match jerseys during the upcoming Women’s World Cup.
What Led to Dream11’s Departure
Earlier, Dream11 had been Team India’s jersey sponsor under a three-year deal starting 2023.
Their exit was prompted by the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The legislation bans real-money online gaming platforms from advertising or sponsorships, which made Dream11’s continued association with the Indian team legally untenable.
In response, the BCCI invited new sponsors and issued strict guidelines around eligibility: companies involved in real-money gaming, cryptocurrency, alcohol, and certain other sectors were explicitly disallowed from bidding.
Implications & Strategic Importance
Financial Upside: The ₹579 crore deal is significantly higher than what Dream11 paid for the same time period, indicating strong brand confidence in cricket’s reach and commercial potential.
Visibility Across Formats: With cricket being a perennial viewership magnet in India, Apollo Tyres will gain exposure domestically and globally — men’s, women’s, bilateral, and ICC tournaments alike.
Merchandise & Branding: Previous jerseys bearing Dream11 logos have already been discounted, signaling urgency to remove the fantasy brand following the law. The shift to Apollo Tyres is expected to usher in fresh merchandise, branding, and possible activation strategies.
Regulatory Precedent: The government’s stringent rules on sponsoring sports teams by gaming and similar sectors have forced long-term changes in how sports marketing works in India. This may shape future sponsorship auctions and brand associations across Indian sports.
What’s Next
The official announcement from the BCCI will likely clarify exact jersey placements, activation plans, and whether Apollo Tyres branding will appear immediately (from the Asia Cup or following series).
The women’s team’s jerseys for their upcoming ODI series and for the Women’s World Cup will be something to watch to see how quickly the branding change happens.
Brands that were disqualified under the eligibility criteria may seek alternative ways to partner through ancillary roles — e.g. digital content, non-jersey sponsorships.
Fans and media will also monitor public reactions and whether this change affects merchandise sales or public engagement.
This change marks a significant moment in Indian cricket’s commercial evolution. With Apollo Tyres stepping in at a time of regulatory change and public scrutiny, the partnership could set a new template for how sponsors, sports boards, and legislation interact going forward.
