Google’s AI link enters sponsorship for massive price ahead of IPL 2026

Google’s artificial intelligence platform, Gemini, has struck a three-year sponsorship agreement with the Indian Premier League (IPL) competition. The agreement, which will cover the next three editions of the competition, is reportedly worth INR 90 crore per year, which places it firmly in the upper tier of the IPL sponsors.

Well, the figure is far below what the Magnet or Tata pays for the naming rights of the league. It still places it among the top-tier sponsors of the franchise sports, such as My11Circle, digital brokerage Business Angle One, and the payments company, RuPay. The details are not yet revealed, but Gemini will likely gain the branding presence across the IPL operations of media backgrounds and pitch-side hoardings.

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Recently, Chad GPD took up a sponsorship of the IPL Associate Women’s competition for a small price of Ianna 16,00,00,000 across two years. Even though the much smaller sponsorship fee reflects that the WPL is much younger and doesn’t boost the same reach as the men’s competition, the former's willingness to cover the competition highlights how India has become a crucial arena for AI.

Google Gemini enters IPL sponsorship for INR 270 crore in 3-year deal

The AI brands are increasingly making A competition with the established brands for the high-profile cricket sponsorships, as the design platform Canva bid for INR 554 crore for the BCCI in India shirt sponsorship but was outbid by Apollo Tyres, which earned the rights for INR 579 crore. 

“AI platforms are expected to play a role similar to fantasy sports in driving sports advertising interest this year. RMG ban will impact TV and digital advertising on sports more than on-ground sponsorships.” An industry executive expressed their expectations for partnerships, with the AI platforms likely to spend around INR 300 crore on the cricket sponsorships alone.

The Royal Challengers Bangaluru (RCB) will start the IPL 2026 as the defending champion, having beaten the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final of the previous season at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.