Sports
BCCI invites bids for title sponsorship rights across marquee cricket events
Tender process opens with August 13 bid deadline as board begins new sponsorship cycle
MUMBAI: Game on for brands. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has kicked off the hunt for its next title sponsor, inviting bids for title sponsorship rights across its portfolio of cricket events through a fresh tender process.
The cricket board on Monday released its Invitation to Tender (ITT), opening the bidding process for companies looking to secure one of Indian sport’s most coveted sponsorship properties.
Interested entities can purchase the tender documents until August 4, 2026, while bids must be submitted by August 13, 2026. Queries related to the ITT can be raised until August 5.
To access the tender documents, Indian companies must pay a non-refundable fee of Rs 1.18 lakh, including GST, while overseas entities are required to pay $1,050. The documents will be shared only after payment has been verified by the BCCI.
The board clarified that purchasing the ITT does not automatically qualify an applicant to participate in the bidding process. Only companies meeting the eligibility conditions outlined in the tender document will be allowed to submit financial bids.
The eligibility criteria require bidders to be registered Indian entities. Individuals, joint ventures, consortiums and unincorporated bodies are not eligible to participate.
Financially, applicants must either have an average audited annual turnover of at least Rs 100 crore over the last three financial years or maintain an average net worth of Rs 100 crore during the same period.
The BCCI has also retained a stringent “fit and proper person” clause. Bidders must have a clean regulatory and legal record, with no convictions involving fraud, moral turpitude or economic offences. Companies categorised as wilful defaulters or those with conflicts under the BCCI’s conflict of interest rules may also be disqualified.
The board has once again barred businesses linked to betting, gambling, cryptocurrency, Web3 products, online money gaming, fantasy sports, tobacco and alcohol from participating in the process.
Companies involved in online gaming with monetary stakes, deposits or winnings are also ineligible, irrespective of whether the games are classified as skill-based or chance-based.
The ITT further prohibits surrogate branding, preventing companies from bidding indirectly through affiliated brands or alternate identities.
Certain product categories have also been blocked because of existing sponsorship agreements. These include athleisure and sportswear, tyres, tubes and flaps, and paints, waterproofing and wallpapers. Only the current sponsors in these categories are permitted to bid for renewal within their respective sectors.
While no additional categories have been blocked due to sponsor conflicts at present, the BCCI has reserved the right to notify further restrictions before the bid submission deadline.
BCCI, honorary secretary, Devajit Saikia said the board reserves the right to amend or cancel the tender process at any stage without assigning any reason.
With India’s cricket properties continuing to command premium sponsorship values and unmatched audience reach, the latest tender is expected to draw interest from leading brands looking to secure long-term visibility across the BCCI’s marquee domestic and international events.
