Indian Premier League Stands Alone at the Top as Asia Pacific Sports Rights Growth Slows, Media Partners Asia Finds
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the only Asia-Pacific sports property commanding fees at the top of the global market, while growth in regional sports rights fees is expected to slow sharply. Media Partners Asia says the change marks the end of a rapid expansion phase, with future growth expected to depend more on sponsorship, ticket sales and local fan engagement.
The IPL earns about $12.4 million per match, comparable with the English Premier League, while Korea’s KBO baseball league earns about $100,000. Rights fees across 14 markets rose 58% in five years to $5.7 billion, but are forecast to grow by just 1%–2% annually through 2030; streaming services now pay half of those fees. The wider regional sports economy is valued at $16.2 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach about $19.5 billion by 2030, with women’s competitions, Japan and homegrown stars identified as potential areas for stronger competition.
- The IPL earns about $12.4 million per match.
- APAC sports rights fee growth is forecast to slow to 1%–2% yearly.
- Sponsorship and ticket sales are expected to drive wider market growth.
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The Indian Premier League is India's biggest cricket competition, in which teams compete each season for the title. Since its launch in 2008, the IPL has grown into one of the world's most watched sports leagues, attracting huge audiences across Asia and internationally.
Sports rights are the broadcasting fees that television networks and streaming platforms pay to show live matches. Across Asia-Pacific, broadcasters have been competing fiercely for the rights to show popular sports, which has driven fees higher each year as demand for content has grown.
For the past several years, the value of sports rights across Asia-Pacific has been climbing rapidly, with competition between broadcasters pushing up prices significantly. This rapid growth has been crucial to the financial success of leagues and teams, but the situation is now expected to change markedly.
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