The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday, 2 September, issued an Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI), inviting bids from interested parties to acquire the national team lead sponsorship rights, marking the end of its association with fantasy sports platform Dream11.
Important Dates to Note
- The deadline for purchasing the IEOI documents is 12 September.
- All bid submissions must be received by 16 September.
Sporting bodies and corporations that meet the criteria can request the detailed IEOI terms and conditions.
Access to these documents requires a non‑refundable payment of ₹5 lakh, plus applicable Goods and Services Tax.
Bids will only be accepted from entities that have completed this payment and meet the specified eligibility criteria.
Dream11 had secured the lead sponsorship rights in July 2023 under a three-year agreement valued at ₹358 crore, succeeding edtech company Byju’s.
However, in the wake of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, the BCCI’s agreement with Dream11 has now lapsed, prompting the launch of this new bidding round.
Eligibility Criteria: Financials & Conduct
Entities wishing to bid must satisfy stringent financial thresholds:
- A minimum average turnover of ₹300 crore over the last three years, or
- A minimum average net worth of ₹300 crore over the same period.
Additionally, they must meet the ‘Fit and Proper Person’ criteria, which disqualify individuals or entities with criminal convictions, economic offences, conflicts of interest, wilful defaulter status, or damaged reputation.
Entities or their group companies involved in activities such as online gaming, betting, gambling, cryptocurrency, tobacco, pornography, or any other category deemed offensive are barred from bidding.
Surrogate branding—submitting bids on behalf of another entity—is also prohibited.
Bidders operating in multiple industries must refrain from bidding if any of their product categories fall under the locked or prohibited categories.
Locked Brand Categories
The following sectors are defined as locked and not open for new sponsorship bids:
- Sportswear and athleisure manufacturers
- Banks, financial institutions, and NBFCs
- Non‑alcoholic beverages
- Fans, mixer grinders, and safety locks
- Insurance companies
- Disclaimers and Flexibility Clause
The BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the IEOI process at any stage, without offering any justification.
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