India’s national cricket team is poised to enter the Asia Cup without a front-of-shirt sponsor, following the central government’s recent ban on real-money online games, including fantasy sports. This decision has terminated the sponsorship deal with Dream11. The Indian fantasy sports platform had committed around 3.6 billion rupees, or $44 million, to sponsor the team through 2026.
Just last month, India’s Rajya Sabha, or upper house of parliament, voted unanimously to pass the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025. Accordingly, the new restriction bars the operation and advertising of remote wagering games of chance. Unfortunately, Dream11 will no longer be allowed to serve as the official sponsor of the national cricket team. The Asia Cup starts on September 9. Even in the stands, Indian fans can’t wait for the much-anticipated rematch against their arch-rival Pakistan on September 14!
For Dream11, it was a deal worth 3.58 billion rupees (about $40.7 million). This new agreement runs from July 2023 to March 2026. With this sponsorship, BCCI is going to receive a significant amount of financial sponsorship. They’d like to make an estimated 4.52 billion rupees, or $51.3 million, from the roughly 140 matches during the 2025-28 cycle. The BCCI is counting on this new revenue stream to be 940 million rupees, or $10.7 million, above Dream11’s agreement. That’s a huge uptick of more than 20 percent.
The abrupt cancellation of the sponsorship has raised concerns over the national team’s financial future. It is doubly alarming as they prepare to face Pakistan and Sri Lanka in must-win Group A matches during the Asia Cup. Perspective on the sponsorship landscape suggests Dream11’s departure may spell trouble. The BCCI is confident of replacing lost sponsors with ones more aligned with the government’s regulatory guidelines.
With the Asia Cup fast approaching, India could find themselves on the pitch in the opening week without a major front-of-shirt sponsor. This latest plight highlights the ripple effects that regulatory changes can have on sports sponsorship throughout the country. Cricketing community awaits to see how this one goes. More importantly, though, they worry about how it affects engagement from fans and potential commercial partnerships down the line.
