Sports
Sony Pictures Networks India partners FanCode for ISL 2025–26 TV rights
SPNI gets exclusive India TV rights as ISL adopts new single-leg format
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has secured the television broadcast rights for the Indian Super League 2025–26 season, following a sublicensing agreement with digital sports platform FanCode, the league’s media rights holder.
Under the arrangement, SPNI will have exclusive television rights for the ISL in India and non-exclusive linear broadcast rights across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Matches will be telecast primarily on Sony Sports Ten 2.
The 2025–26 ISL season begins on February 14 and will feature 91 matches played under a revised single-leg round-robin format. The opening fixture will see defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant face Kerala Blasters.
The addition of the ISL further bolsters Sony’s football portfolio, which already includes UEFA Euro 2028, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Nations League, Bundesliga, FA Cup and the Durand Cup. The network has positioned itself as the home of football in India, banking on steadily rising domestic viewership.
“This partnership reflects AIFF’s commitment to expanding the footprint of the ISL,” said All India Football Federationdeputy secretary general M Satyanarayan. “With FanCode driving digital innovation and Sony bringing unmatched television reach, fans across age groups will have easier access to the league.”
Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer and business head for sports and international Rajesh Kaul, said nearly 100 million viewers tuned into football across Sony’s sports channels in 2025. “This partnership brings homegrown football rivalries to millions while reinforcing our commitment to growing India’s football ecosystem,” he said.
FanCode co-founder Yannick Colaco said the deal was aimed at maximising distribution. “By combining Sony’s television scale with FanCode’s digital-first approach, we are creating a strong multi-platform ecosystem that ensures fans don’t miss a moment,” he said.
Sports
JK Lakshmi Cement named principal sponsor of Rajasthan Royals
Cement maker’s logo to feature on team jersey for the 2026 T20 season.
MUMBAI: When cricket meets concrete, the partnership is built to last. JK Lakshmi Cement Limited has signed on as the principal sponsor of Rajasthan Royals for the 2026 T20 season, marking a renewed collaboration between two organisations that share deep roots in Rajasthan. Under the agreement, the JK Lakshmi Cement logo will appear prominently on the back of the Rajasthan Royals’ match jersey throughout the season. The brand will also feature across team gear, in stadium signage and digital match day content, giving it strong visibility during one of India’s most watched sporting tournaments.
For JK Lakshmi Cement, the partnership reflects a long standing association with the state. The company has maintained a significant presence in Rajasthan for decades through its manufacturing facilities, distribution network and relationships with contractors, dealers and local communities.
JK Lakshmi Cement, deputy managing director Shrivats Singhania, at said the collaboration celebrates the shared heritage of both organisations. “Rajasthan has always been integral to our journey, shaping our identity and growth from our factories and logistics to the people and businesses that inspire us every day. This partnership with Rajasthan Royals deepens that connection, celebrating the shared values of entrepreneurship, performance and enduring commitment,” he said.
He added that the national reach of the T20 league offers an opportunity to showcase Rajasthan’s spirit on a larger stage.
Cricket continues to be one of India’s most powerful cultural connectors, drawing fans across regions and generations. JK Lakshmi Cement sees the association as a way to strengthen engagement with stakeholders ranging from homeowners and contractors to engineers, masons and dealers.
JK Lakshmi Cement president and director Arun Shukla noted that the journey of the brand and the team share striking similarities. “The journey of Rajasthan Royals is similar to ours strong roots in Rajasthan and a growing presence across the country. This partnership is also about honouring the people who work hard every day to build India, irrespective of the state they reside in,” he said.
He added that the association will help bring the brand closer to audiences, from individual homes in smaller towns to large infrastructure projects in major cities, while connecting them to the energy of the T20 season.
From the team’s perspective, the partnership strengthens its ties with homegrown brands.
Rajasthan Royals chief operating officer Alok Chitre said the team was pleased to welcome JK Lakshmi Cement as its principal sponsor. “We are happy to have JK Lakshmi Cement as our principal sponsor for the Rajasthan Royals 2026 season. It means a lot that a brand from Rajasthan is on the back of the Royals jersey. JK Lakshmi Cement is a natural partner because it has a strong presence in the state and beyond,” he said.
As India’s infrastructure and construction sectors continue to grow, JK Lakshmi Cement has been focusing on operational strength, innovation and long term expansion. Strategic collaborations such as this allow the brand to connect with wider audiences while reinforcing its presence in markets where it has long operated.
For Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, the deal adds another regional ally to its roster proving that sometimes, the strongest partnerships are the ones built close to home.
