The IPL's business value has risen to $20.6 billion, up 11.4% year on year, according to Houlihan Lokey's 2026 IPL Valuation Study, driven largely by record-breaking sales of two franchises, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. The findings underline the growing appeal of Indian cricket to major global investors, with the report noting that only the NFL now surpasses the IPL in per-match value worldwide.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru was sold in March for $1.78 billion, the most expensive single IPL franchise deal on record, to a consortium including the Aditya Birla Group, the Times of India Group, David Blitzer's Bolt Ventures and Blackstone's BXPE. Rajasthan Royals followed in May, changing hands for $1.65 billion to the Mittal family and Serum Institute chief executive Adar Poonawalla. The league's overall brand value grew 10.3% to $4.3 billion, while total viewership reach across television and digital reached 1.06 billion screens, even as traditional TV ratings declined, and 2026 revenue projections exceed $1.8 billion. RCB also topped the individual brand and business value rankings for the first time, buoyed by its recent IPL and Women's Premier League titles.