Introduction
In a major shake-up in Indian cricket sponsorship, Apollo Tyres has officially replaced Dream11 as the lead jersey sponsor of the Indian national cricket teams (men’s and women’s). The deal comes at a time of regulatory change in India, and marks a considerable increase in sponsorship value. Let’s dive into what the agreement entails, its possible implications, the background that led to this change, and how various stakeholders may be affected.
“After Dream11’s exit under India’s new gaming law, Apollo Tyres steps in as Team India’s jersey sponsor with a landmark ₹579 crore 2.5-year deal. Explore the terms, implications, and what this means for BCCI, brands and the sport.”
Also Read: https://stepupsuccess.in/2025/09/sponsorship-win-boosts-apollo-tyres.html
What are the Terms of the Agreement?
Key Details of Apollo Tyres – BCCI Sponsorship Deal
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Apollo Tyres |
| Duration | 2.5 years (till March 2028) |
| Value | ₹579 crore (approx.) |
| Matches Covered | 121 bilateral matches + 21 ICC matches |
| Per Match Value | ₹4.5 – ₹4.7 crore (higher than Dream11’s ~₹4 crore per match) |
| Logo Placement | Front of the jersey (men’s and women’s teams, all formats) |
| Milestone | Apollo Tyres’ first major sponsorship deal with Team India |
Dream11 vs Apollo Tyres – Deal Comparison
| Category | Dream11 | Apollo Tyres |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Fantasy Gaming | Tyres / Manufacturing |
| Duration | 2023 – 2025 | 2025 – 2028 |
| Deal Value | ₹358 crore (approx.) | ₹579 crore (approx.) |
| Per Match Value | ~₹4 crore | ₹4.5 – ₹4.7 crore |
| Matches Covered | ≈120 | 121 bilaterals + 21 ICC matches |
| Reason for Exit | Impact of new Online Gaming Law | Entered after Dream11 exit due to regulatory ban |
Why Did Dream11 Exit?
The replacement didn’t stem from a normal contract renewal; rather it followed regulatory changes:
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The Indian government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which effectively banned real-money gaming platforms (including fantasy sports platforms like Dream11) from operating as before. The New Indian Express
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Because Dream11’s business model was directly impacted, its sponsorship of Team India became untenable under the law. This led Dream11 to exit/terminate its sponsorship with BCCI. The New Indian Express
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Following that, BCCI floated an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the “lead sponsor” rights, setting eligibility criteria that explicitly excluded companies from sectors now considered risky or disallowed — including real-money gaming, gambling, cryptocurrency, tobacco, and certain other categories.
Possible Impacts
This change has ripple effects across cricket, the sponsorship landscape, regulation, and brand-management. Some key impacts:
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Financial Upside for BCCI & Indian Cricket
The new deal is significantly more lucrative (≈ ₹579 crore vs Dream11’s ≈ ₹358 crore). This helps BCCI shore up revenue, which can feed into player contracts, infrastructure, women’s cricket, grassroots development, etc. -
Regulatory Compliance & Reputation
By distancing itself from fantasy gaming (which is now regulated / restricted), BCCI avoids legal and reputational risks. Apollo Tyres, being a mainstream manufacturing brand, carries less regulatory baggage in this context. -
Brand Visibility and Market Positioning for Apollo Tyres
Apollo Tyres gains high visibility both domestically and globally. Cricket is among India’s most broadcasted sports; jerseys carry symbolic value. This can help solidify brand equity, especially since it’s their first major foray at this level. -
Precedence for Future Sponsorship Deals
The deal sets a benchmark for how lead sponsorships should be valued, especially considering regulatory constraints. Future sponsors will need to meet stricter rules. The bidding process (which reportedly had other major brands like JK Cements, Canva in the fray) shows demand remains high. Cricbuzz -
Fans & Public Perception
There’s often mixed reaction from fans: some may prefer jerseys without controversial branding (e.g. gaming or fantasy sports). Some articles note that fans liked the “cleaner” look on training gear without the Dream11 logo. India Today -
Effect on Fantasy Sports / Gaming Industry
With the ban, companies in gaming/fantasy sports lose sponsorship opportunities (which were major revenue streams). They’ll need to find other models or adjust business strategies accordingly.
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Related / Contextual Developments
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The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 is central to this story — it changed the legal landscape for fantasy gaming and online real-money gaming in India. ESPN.com
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The BCCI’s eligibility criteria in the new EOI (excluding certain types of industries) signal a shift in how sports boards will manage brand associations. NDTV Sports
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The sponsorship gap was visible: for example, during Asia Cup 2025, Team India played without a lead sponsor on jersey. That was because the Dream11 deal had ended / been rescinded, and the new deal was still being processed. India Today
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There was stiff competition: Apart from Apollo Tyres, Canva and JK Cements reportedly submitted bids. Apollo outbid them. Cricbuzz
What It Means Going Forward
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Stability & Predictability: With the new deal locked in until March 2028, the BCCI and Team India can plan with more certainty in financial terms.
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More Stringent Sponsor Vetting: Brands will increasingly be scrutinised for alignment with government regulation, public sentiment, and ethical standards.
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Opportunities for Non-Gaming Brands: As sectors like gaming become restricted, brands from other industries (manufacturing, consumer goods, tech, etc.) will find more room to occupy prominent sponsorship spaces.
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Potential Growth in Women’s Cricket & Grassroots: The extra funds could trickle down to lesser-funded areas of the sport, including women’s cricket, domestic cricket, infrastructure, etc.
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Brand Risk and Reward: Apollo Tyres has high visibility but also a lot to lose if associated with any controversy, so how they manage their marketing and public relations around this will matter.
Conclusion
The transition from Dream11 to Apollo Tyres as Team India’s jersey sponsor is more than a swap of brand logos. It reflects changing laws in India, evolving public sentiment, and the continued growth in commercial value of Indian cricket. With a ₹579 crore deal for 2.5 years, increased per-match fees, and broader coverage (both men’s & women’s teams across all formats), this is a landmark agreement.
For brands, it underscores that association with India cricket remains highly attractive — but navigating regulatory, ethical, and reputational factors is increasingly important. For fans, it means a new face (Apollo Tyres) front and centre on the Indian jersey — but one that comes with its own expectations and responsibilities.
Also Read: https://stepupsuccess.in/2025/09/sponsorship-win-boosts-apollo-tyres.html