Most Valuable IPL Team 2025: RCB Beats CSK & MI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru took over the top spot after winning this season’s Indian Premier League tournament, demonstrating how winning boosts brand value, leading to sponsorship and revenue gains. Under Rajat Patidar’s direction, this success proved how winning can transform brand perception – an effect which then feeds into sponsorship deals and revenue gains for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

CSK may have experienced some setbacks during 2025, yet its trust scores and rural reach still remain incredibly impressive.

IPL 2025 Brand Value: RCB Tops, CSK & MI Follow

CSK

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are a professional Twenty20 cricket team competing in the Indian Premier League since its inaugural season in 2008. Owned and operated by Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, CSK hosts its home matches at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium near Chennai in India; five titles have been won so far and 10 playoff appearances made; in addition, CSK owns Joburg Super Kings of South Africa as well as Texas Super Kings from Major League Cricket respectively.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made headlines for being the most valuable IPL franchise, surpassing Chennai Super Kings by overtaking them with a brand value of USD 269 million in 2025. This impressive achievement was driven by RCB winning its maiden IPL championship after 17 seasons – as well as their brand strategy which combined continuity with fresh energy; such as appointing Rajat Patidar as captain while keeping Virat Kohli on as mentor/leader.

Mumbai Indians (MI) achieved second place with a brand value of USD 244 million, ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with USD 241 million and Sunrisers Hyderabad in third, then Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans who saw ownership change last year (RR and GT respectively) to round out the top five teams. Delhi Capitals’ brand value stood at USD 152 million; under Rishabh Pant’s leadership DC experienced second highest year-on-year growth among all teams due to strong performances both on the field and digital campaigns.

MI

Chennai Super Kings have long dominated IPL brand value rankings. Led by MS Dhoni, their success on the field and enormous popularity made them a prime investment target for global brands. But this season Royal Challengers Bangalore overtook CSK and Mumbai Indians to become the most valuable franchise.

Mumbai Indians showed tremendous resilience after dropping four games early on this season, winning nine out of their final 10 matches thanks to excellent batting from Lendl Simmons, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard; coupled with outstanding bowling from Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McClenaghan and Harbhajan Singh.

MI successfully used the player auction to acquire several new players such as Tim Southee, Nathu Singh, Jos Buttler, KP Kamath and Krunal Pandya to secure fifth place finish in league phase. Unfortunately their play-off run ended quickly as Rising Pune Supergiant eliminated them in second eliminator match.

Since 2023, IPL team brand values have seen their highest increase ever thanks to an emphasis on building year-round revenue streams through content production, merchandise sales, licensing agreements and fan token sales. We’re seeing IPL teams act more like entertainment brands than sports clubs – making the league more appealing to investors and sponsors alike.

RCB

RCB, founded as Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2008 and currently owned by liquor magnate Vijay Mallya’s United Spirits, first played their inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament as Royal Challengers Bengaluru before later changing to Royal Challengers Bangalore due to trademark issues. Under Virat Kohli as captain, they have made three playoff appearances and two runner-up finishes since 2008. RCB used to be known by one of Mallya’s flagship products McDowell’s No. 1, before eventually changing it back due to trademark issues RCB after changing ownership hands to United Spirits ownership due to trademark issues arising due to ownership issues surrounding that brand association; which lead them all the way into being part of Indian cricket team Virat Kohli who plays on both levels!

Last season, Royal Challengers Bangalore overtook CSK on the brand value list; however this season they found themselves falling further behind Sunrisers Hyderabad after they overthrew Chris Gayle’s record of 263 runs for Royal Challengers Bengalures during their last match of the season, shattering that record by breaking it themselves to end fourth place overall in terms of brand value; KKR and Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans both finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

PBKS

PBKS stands out among IPL teams as one of the most valuable, due to its strong revenue generation, strategic revenue diversification, and robust fan engagement. Dabur India chairman Mohit Burman owns 48% stake in this team’s ownership group – this financial support helps bolster league profile while drawing global investors to invest in it and broadening reach.

Even after limited success on the field, PBKS fans remain passionate and supportive of their team, which helps ensure their stadiums stay filled even during losing seasons. Beyond IPL performances alone, however, their contribution to Indian cricket extends well beyond IPL performances; they have also played an instrumental role in increasing popularity of online betting for cricket in India.

Before the 2021 season, this team was known as Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). Before changing to PBKS ahead of that season however, their name was altered to increase brand recall and give the franchise a fresh start – also leading to an increase in sponsorship revenues as a result of this rebranding.

Houlihan Lokey recently issued a report which indicates that the IPL has become one of the world’s most valuable sporting leagues, having experienced significant increases in both brand value and business value since 2024. Leading this surge are RCB, followed by KKR, CSK and Lucknow Super Giants who were established under an expansion project launched by BCCI.