Apollo Tyres becomes Team India’s new lead jersey sponsor in a ₹579 crore deal, covering men’s and women’s cricket matches until 2028, replacing Dream11.
Apollo Tyres Becomes Team India’s Lead Jersey Sponsor in ₹579 Crore Deal
What Is the New Sponsorship Deal?
Apollo Tyres has been awarded the front-of-jersey sponsorship rights for India’s national cricket teams (men’s and women’s) in all formats, under a contract worth ₹579 crore, valid until March 2028. This replaces the previous sponsor, Dream11, following regulatory changes affecting real-money online gaming in India.
Scope & Match Coverage under the Deal
The agreement will cover both bilateral matches and ICC tournaments.It is reported to include 121 bilateral fixtures and 21 ICC matches over the duration of the contract. Apollo Tyres’ logo will appear on the jerseys of both the men’s and women’s teams across formats.
Why Dream11 Exited & Regulatory Influence
Dream11 had won the previous deal (for around ₹358 crore) in 2023. However, due to the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (or related regulatory reforms), real-money online gaming platforms were restricted from such sponsorship roles, forcing Dream11’s exit.
Bidding Process & Competitive Landscape
The BCCI invited bids with certain restrictions: brands associated with gaming, betting, crypto, or tobacco were disallowed. Among the contenders were companies like Canva and JK Cements, but Apollo Tyres outbid them. It is also reported that Apollo’s bid was about 28% higher than the base asking price set by BCCI.
What This Means for Apollo Tyres and Indian Cricket
For Apollo Tyres, this marks its first major sponsorship in Indian cricket, a strategic move enhancing its brand visibility. For the BCCI, the deal reflects growing commercial interest in cricket, and the ability to maintain high sponsorship revenues despite regulatory changes.
Why This News Is Important
For the Corporate & Regulatory Landscape
This deal is a prime example of how regulatory changes can reshape sponsorship dynamics in sports. The Online Gaming Act and associated rules forced Dream11 out, opening the spot for a new kind of sponsor (non-gaming). Corporates now see more risk in sectors like gaming, betting, crypto, etc., so laws are having a direct impact on where marketing budgets flow. For students preparing for exams, it’s an instance tying economy/regulation, business policy, and sports governance.
For Indian Cricket & Sports Marketing
The pricing of the deal (₹579 crore) is significantly higher than the prior deal (~₹358 crore), marking a ~62% jump in sponsorship value. It demonstrates how cricket remains a powerful marketing asset. Also, it reflects that even bilateral matches (not just big ICC tournaments) have commercial value in India. For aspirants under GS, banking, or civil services exams, this reflects trends in sports economics, brand value, and public-private partnerships.
For Sponsorship Policy & Ethics
BCCI’s decision to bar certain categories (gaming, betting, crypto, tobacco) from bidding shows efforts to align sponsorships with social and ethical norms. This ties into larger discussions about corporate social responsibility, governance, and regulation in public domains. Aspirants should note how policy frameworks affect business decisions.
Historical Context
Evolution of Team India Shirt Sponsors
- Sahara India Pariwar was a long-standing sponsor in the 2000s, followed by Star India (2014-2017).
- Then came Oppo (2017-2022), which later transferred rights to Byju’s in 2019 due to changing corporate strategies.
- Byju’s officially sponsored until March 2023. After that, Dream11 won the deal in mid-2023.
Regulatory Shifts & Their Impact
- The growing scrutiny over online gaming, betting, and fantasy platform sponsorships has led to legislative action (e.g. the 2025 Online Gaming Act). These laws affect which companies can sponsor sports.
- The BCCI has also tightened bidding norms (ethical restrictions, minimum base price per match) to ensure greater transparency and higher value.
Key Takeaways from Apollo Tyres Sponsorship Deal
Key Takeaways from This News
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sponsor & Value: Apollo Tyres has become the lead jersey sponsor for Team India in a deal worth ₹579 crore, valid until March 2028. |
| 2 | Replacement of Dream11: Dream11’s contract ended due to regulatory changes affecting real-money gaming. |
| 3 | Match & Format Coverage: The deal covers both men’s and women’s teams, all formats, including ~121 bilateral fixtures and ~21 ICC matches. |
| 4 | Bidding Rules & Excluded Sectors: Brands from sectors like crypto, betting/gaming, and tobacco were excluded; competitive bidding included firms like Canva and JK Cements. |
| 5 | Growth in Sponsorship Value: The new value (₹579 crore) is much higher (~62%) than Dream11’s earlier sponsorship worth ₹358 crore, indicating increasing commercial strength of Indian cricket. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the new lead jersey sponsor of Team India?
Apollo Tyres has become the new lead jersey sponsor for both men’s and women’s Indian cricket teams.
2. What is the total value of the sponsorship deal?
The deal is worth ₹579 crore, valid until March 2028.
3. Which company did Apollo Tyres replace as the front-of-jersey sponsor?
Apollo Tyres replaced Dream11 due to regulatory restrictions on real-money gaming companies.
4. How many matches are covered under this sponsorship deal?
The deal covers approximately 121 bilateral matches and 21 ICC matches over the contract period.
5. Why were gaming and crypto companies barred from bidding?
BCCI restricted sectors like online gaming, crypto, betting, and tobacco to align sponsorships with ethical standards and regulatory compliance.
6. Has Apollo Tyres sponsored Indian cricket before?
No, this is Apollo Tyres’ first major sponsorship in Indian cricket.
7. How much higher is the Apollo Tyres deal compared to the previous Dream11 deal?
The Apollo Tyres deal is about 62% higher than the ₹358 crore Dream11 deal.
8. Will this sponsorship include women’s cricket teams as well?
Yes, the deal covers both men’s and women’s teams across all formats.
9. What are some other brands that participated in the bidding process?
Companies like Canva and JK Cements were also part of the competitive bidding.
10. How does this deal reflect trends in Indian sports marketing?
It shows cricket’s continued commercial value and the impact of regulatory policies on sponsorship deals.
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