Sports
IPL 19 TV Ad Volumes Rise 10 per cent Despite Fewer Brands
Google storms top spot as e-com services and mouth fresheners lead charge in four-match clash with IPL 18.
MUMBAI: Google has bowled a perfect googly in the IPL 19 ad arena while the batsmen chased sixes on the field, the search giant has quietly smashed the biggest boundary of all, claiming 12.67 per cent of commercial airtime and leaving rivals gasping. Overall television ad volumes for the four live matches of IPL 19 hit an indexed 109.94 compared with IPL 18’s baseline of 100, a crisp 9.94 per cent jump that proves advertisers still see cricket’s biggest stage as the ultimate pitch. Yet the numbers tell a more nuanced tale. Categories slimmed from 47 to 40 (a 14.9 per cent drop) and advertisers shrank from 58 to 43 (down 25.9 per cent), suggesting a leaner, meaner battle where the survivors are spending smarter.
The new pecking order makes for fascinating reading. In IPL 19, Ecom-Other Services surged to the summit with 13.78 per cent share, nudging out perennial favourite Mouth Fresheners (13.57 per cent). Air Conditioners (5.94 per cent), Corporate-Financial Institutes (5.69 per cent) and Paints (5.23 per cent) rounded out the top five, elbowing aside last season’s heavy hitters. Back in IPL 18, Mouth Fresheners led at 10.73 per cent, followed by Ecom-Gaming (10.62 per cent), Cellular Phones-Smart Phones (7.83 per cent), Biscuits (7.66 per cent) and Cars (6.60 per cent).
On the advertiser leaderboard, Google’s 12.67 per cent dominance is unassailable. Reliance Consumer Products (7.28 per cent) took silver, Havells India (5.94 per cent) bronze, while Vishnu Packaging (5.56 per cent) and K P Pan Foods (4.80 per cent) completed the top five. Contrast that with IPL 18, where Parle Biscuits (7.66 per cent) topped the chart, followed by Vishnu Packaging (5.92 per cent), Apple Computer India (5.52 per cent), Reliance Consumer Products (5.31 per cent) and Billion Brains Garage Ventures (4.52 per cent).
Fresh blood has clearly refreshed the mix. Nine entirely new categories and a whopping 45 new brands entered the fray. Among the debutants making an instant splash: Chocolates, Laptops/Notebooks, Range of Hair Care, Corporate-Pharma/Healthcare and Footwear. Stand-out new brands include Google Search Engine, Google Gemini, Lloyd Designer AC, Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Chocolate, Hero Splendor Plus Range and Joy Hello Sun Sunblock Anti-Tan Lotion, proof that even the most unexpected players are now eyeing cricket’s captive millions.
Conversely, 16 categories sat out IPL 19, including former stalwarts Ecom-Gaming, Cellular Phones-Smart Phones, Biscuits, Airlines and Fans. The message is clear: the ad economy is evolving faster than a T20 run-chase.
So while the on-field drama delivers its usual thrills, the commercial breaks are delivering something even more compelling, a masterclass in how to turn 22 yards of grass into serious brand territory. IPL 19 has shown that when the right mix of innovation and investment meets cricket fever, the ad scoreboard lights up in ways even the most optimistic analysts might not have predicted.
Sports
Rugby Premier League 2026 to be held in Hyderabad
Second edition returns in Rugby 7s format from 16 to 28 June at Gachibowli Stadium.
MUMBAI: Hyderabad is all set to tackle a new sporting challenge, the Rugby Premier League is coming to town, and this time it promises even more pace, power and passion. GMR Sports, in partnership with Rugby India, has announced that the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) will be staged at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad from 16 to 28 June 2026.
Following a successful debut in Mumbai last year, the league returns in the fast-paced Rugby 7s format. All six franchises from the inaugural season will compete again, bringing together top Indian and international talent to deliver high-quality, action-packed rugby for fans.
The shift to Hyderabad aligns with GMR Sports’ growing commitment to building world-class sporting infrastructure in the city. It also follows the group’s recent MoU with the Government of Telangana to develop a Satellite Sports City within Bharat Future City.
Government of Telangana special chief secretary (Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture & Sports), IAS Jayesh Ranjan welcomed the league, saying Hyderabad’s emergence as a global sporting destination reflects the state’s long-term vision.
Rugby India President Rahul Bose emphasised the league’s continuous improvement, “With everything one does in life, the quest is to always do better, be better, deliver better.” He promised a superior fan experience, higher quality rugby, and a stronger television and OTT product in 2026.
GMR Sports CEO Satyam Trivedi highlighted Hyderabad’s excellent sports infrastructure, connectivity and passionate fan base as ideal for the league. “One of our franchise partners is rooted in Hyderabad, underscoring the city’s pivotal role in our long-term vision for rugby in India,” he added.
Sports Authority of Telangana, vice chairman & managing director, IFS A. Sonibala Devi noted that hosting the RPL will strengthen the state’s high-performance ecosystem and provide valuable exposure to emerging talent.
With elite competition, a proven format and a new energetic host city, the 2026 Rugby Premier League is shaping up to be a thrilling chapter in the growth of rugby across India. Get ready, Hyderabad rugby is about to touch down in style.
