How BCCI Makes More Than Other Cricket Boards

When people ask, “How BCCI earns money?”, the answer is both simple and surprising. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not just the most powerful body in Indian cricket—it's also the richest cricket board in the world by a huge margin. But how did it get there?

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the many ways BCCI makes money, how it stacks up against other boards, and why its earning model is so successful. You'll also learn key facts and real numbers behind its success—without the jargon.

Why Is BCCI So Rich?

Let’s begin with the core question—why does BCCI make more money than other cricket boards?

The answer lies in a mix of factors:

• India’s massive cricket fan base

• High-value broadcasting deals

• The Indian Premier League (IPL)

• Sponsorships and partnerships

• Strong control over cricket scheduling and rights

These sources not only bring in huge revenue but also keep growing year after year.

India’s Cricket Fan Base Drives Huge Revenue

India has over 1.4 billion people, and cricket is the most followed sport in the country. The passion for cricket in India is unmatched.

• An estimated 90% of global cricket fans are from India, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

• Every match played by India draws millions of TV viewers and online streamers.

This massive following gives BCCI leverage when it negotiates TV rights and sponsorship deals. It’s simple: more fans equal more money.

How BCCI Earns Money: Main Revenue Sources

Let’s look at the main ways BCCI earns money and how it has built such a powerful financial machine.

1. Broadcasting Rights

This is BCCI’s biggest source of income.

In 2023, BCCI sold the media rights for IPL 2023-2027 for a record ₹48,390 crore (around $6 billion). This included both TV and digital streaming rights.

Key points:

• Star India and Viacom18 are the current IPL broadcasters.

• Indian cricket team matches also bring in high-value deals.

For example, BCCI signed a 5-year broadcasting deal with Viacom18 worth ₹5,963 crore for team India’s home games starting from 2023.

2. Indian Premier League (IPL)

The IPL is a goldmine for BCCI.

• BCCI earns from franchise fees, media rights, ticket sales, and central sponsorships.

• In IPL 2023, BCCI reportedly earned over ₹7,000 crore in revenue.

The IPL alone makes BCCI richer than most other cricket boards combined. No other board has a league that generates this level of income.

3. Sponsorships and Advertising

Sponsors pay top dollar to be associated with Indian cricket.

Some key sponsors include:

• Dream11

• IDFC First Bank (Team India's title sponsor)

• BYJU’S (former sponsor)

• Adidas (team kit sponsor)

Each deal runs into hundreds of crores, and BCCI signs multiple contracts across platforms, matches, and events.

4. Match Hosting and Ticket Sales

When India hosts a match, the stadium is usually packed. Ticket revenue goes directly into BCCI’s account.

Add to this:

• Merchandise sales

• Food and beverage deals

• Stadium branding rights

These may seem small alone, but they add up quickly when you host as many matches as BCCI does.

5. ICC Revenue Share

Even on the global stage, BCCI earns more than others.

In 2023, the ICC announced a new revenue-sharing model where BCCI would receive 38.5% of ICC’s total earnings.

That’s more than $230 million annually, while boards like the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia get around 6-7% each.

Comparison With Other Cricket Boards

Here’s how BCCI stacks up against other leading boards.

This shows just how far ahead BCCI is. It’s not even close.

Why Other Boards Can’t Match BCCI’s Income

Several reasons make it hard for other cricket boards to catch up:

• Smaller audiences in their countries

• Limited commercial interest

• Weaker domestic leagues

• Lower ticket sales and TV ratings

• Less bargaining power in global cricket

In short, cricket in India is a money-making engine, while in other countries, it's often just one of many sports.

How BCCI Uses Its Money

With so much income, BCCI is able to:

• Offer high salaries to players

• Invest in grassroots cricket

• Improve stadium infrastructure

• Fund women’s cricket and domestic leagues

• Help state associations financially

BCCI doesn’t just make money—it reinvests it smartly. That keeps the cycle of growth going.

Future Growth: Where BCCI Is Headed

BCCI isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Some upcoming revenue boosts:

• Expanding the IPL to more teams or matches

• Streaming rights bidding war in the digital era

• Launch of Women’s IPL (WPL) bringing in new sponsors

• More involvement in global franchise cricket

With every move, BCCI is setting itself up for even more revenue in the years to come.

Interesting Facts About BCCI’s Wealth

Here are some quick stats that show how powerful BCCI really is:

• BCCI has no government funding—all money is self-earned.

• IPL viewership in 2023 crossed 500 million.

• BCCI has over ₹18,000 crore in reserves (as per 2023 reports).

• Indian cricket players are among the highest paid in the world.

FAQs About BCCI’s Earnings and Global Standing

How does BCCI earn so much more than others?
BCCI earns more due to India’s massive fan base, high-value IPL, media rights, and strong control over global cricket scheduling.

Who is the richest cricket board in the world?
BCCI is by far the richest cricket board in the world, with revenues touching billions every year.

What are the key sources of BCCI's income?
The main income comes from broadcasting rights, IPL, sponsorships, ticket sales, and ICC revenue share.

Why can't other boards earn like BCCI?
Other boards lack India’s market size, viewership numbers, and commercial pull. That limits their income potential.

Will any cricket board ever earn more than BCCI?
It’s unlikely in the near future. Unless another country builds a league like IPL or sees massive growth in cricket popularity, BCCI will remain on top.

Where does BCCI spend its money?
BCCI invests in domestic cricket, player salaries, infrastructure, women’s cricket, and supporting state-level cricket bodies.

How did IPL change BCCI’s financial power?
The IPL gave BCCI a yearly income source that no other board has. It brought in big money from TV rights, sponsors, and advertisers.

Final Thoughts

So, how BCCI earns money isn’t a mystery. It’s a mix of smart business decisions, a cricket-loving nation, and the global pull of Indian cricket.

Compared to other boards, BCCI's scale and reach are unmatched. With the IPL growing each year and new revenue sources opening up, the richest cricket board in the world is only getting richer.

Whether you're a fan, a cricket writer, or just curious, understanding BCCI’s money-making model gives you a clear view of why Indian cricket is such a financial powerhouse.