IPL 2026: Why BCCI and IPL franchises would lose INR 2400 crore in every season?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has begun with incredible enthusiasm and excitement, with all ten teams showcasing their abilities with both bat and ball over the first week. The Punjab Kings (PBKS) are at the top of the points table with two wins and one washout result in three clashes at a net run rate of +0.637. 

On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, have experienced the bottom of the points table with three successive defeats against the Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The valuation of the league, however, has reached a different stage.

Why can BCCI and IPL franchises lose INR 2400 crore every season?

The businessman and the visionary founder of the IPL, Lalit Modi, has claimed that the BCCI and the IPL sides are missing out on INR 2400 crore each season after tweaking the home-and-away format to limit the number of games to 74. Once every side plays each other twice in the league stage, the total number of games would rise to 94. 

“For every game, the BCCI gets 50 per cent, and the remaining 50 per cent is distributed to teams. So, teams are now losing out on 20 games. It is by contractual obligation for the fees that they’re paying to provide them home and away.” Modi expressed.

“The home and away is where the value is. If you don’t have time in your calendar, don’t increase the number of teams. Simple as that. That’s not what we sold. Has everybody signed off on it? I guarantee not.” He added.

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Modi also explained that, not fully getting admitted to the home-and-away format, each IPL side would be missing out on INR 120 crore in revenue each edition.

“If there were 94 matches today on a home and away basis – Rs 118 crore a game – it’s Rs 2,400 crore, just the media rights. That’s Rs 2,400 crores extra that’s coming to the BCCI. Out of this, Rs 1,200 crores would have gone to the 10 teams, each team would have got 120 crores, and the team value should have automatically been higher.” The former BCCI vice-president addressed.

IPL valuation touches $19 billion in 2026

The total IPL valuation has gone up to nearly $18 billion to $19 billion in 2026, which has been driven by the record-setting team sales. The Rajat Patidar-led side became the most valuable franchise, sold for a massive price of nearly $1.78 billion, while the Rajasthan side was given the value of $1.63 billion. 

The brand value of RCB has reached to $269M, followed by the Mumbai Indians for $242M. The Chennai franchise is at the third stage of the table with $235M as the Knight Riders come at the fourth position with $222M. The event’s valuation is projected to be doubled by 2030.