The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are no longer the most valuable franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). That crown now belongs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who combined a long-awaited maiden title with record fan engagement to climb to the top of the valuation charts.
According to the latest study by global investment bank Houlihan Lokey, RCB’s brand value has jumped to $269 million this year, up from $227 million in 2024.
Once the most dominant brand in the IPL, CSK now find themselves in third place, behind RCB and Mumbai Indians (MI).
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RCB Dethrone CSK, Emerge as IPL’s Most Valuable Team
Mumbai Indians secured second place with a valuation of $242 million. With Reliance’s deep pockets, a history of success and a stable fan base, MI remain one of the most bankable brands in the competition.
CSK slipped to third place with $235 million. Their poor showing in 2025, where they finished at the bottom of the standings, hurt their reputation and brand strength.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are next with $227 million. Their strong marketing presence and loyal fan following have kept them in the top four.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) sit mid-table with $154 million. Delhi Capitals (DC) follow closely at $152 million. Both teams had mixed seasons.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) are valued at $146 million. They continue to build their brand around young players.
Gujarat Titans (GT) are worth $142 million. They enjoyed a playoff appearance that kept their brand relevant. Punjab Kings (PBKS) emerged as the story of the year, climbing nearly 40% to $141 million after reaching the final and producing some of the season’s most engaging digital campaigns.
At the bottom of the table, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are valued at $122 million. The results on the pitch were below expectations. The franchise, having Rishabh Pant as their captain, is still in its early years and has room to grow.
RCB - 269 Million
MI - 242 Million
CSK - 235 Million
KKR - 227 Million
SRH - 154 Million
DC - 152 Million
RR - 146 Million
GT - 142 Million
PBKS - 141 Million
LSG - 122 Million
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IPL 2025 Smashes TV and Digital Numbers
The IPL 2025 was historic for its viewership numbers. JioHotstar registered 1.37 billion views with peak concurrency of 340 million viewers on the opening weekend.
Television coverage was equally impressive. Star Sports reached 253 million unique viewers during the season. Combined digital and TV watch time touched 49.5 billion minutes.
The final between RCB and PBKS on June 3 broke all previous records. With over 678 million views, it became the most-watched T20 match in history.
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