Mumbai
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opened the applications of lead sponsorship for the national cricket team and invited “renowned companies” to bid for rights. Interested companies will be able to take the expression of interest documents from September 2 and the last date for submission of applications has been kept on 16 September.
Last month, Aaj Tak had told in its report that the Indian men’s cricket team would play the Asia Cup (starting on 9 September) without the lead sponsor, as Dream11 ended the agreement. The new BCCI advertisement confirms this, in which the last date for bidding is fixed between September.
The women’s national team will also start her women’s ODI World Cup from September 30 at home, and will have to see whether BCCI is able to find a new lead sponsor till then. The goal of the board is to make a long -term partnership agreement, especially looking at the 2027 World Cup of men. On August 28, in the Emergency Apex Council meeting led by Interim Chairman Rajiv Shukla, it was decided that the board would not choose a sponsor only for the Asia Cup.
Dream11’s agreement suddenly ended as the government banned the real-mani gaming platform under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act of 2025. Dream11 had signed a US $ 44 million (Rs 358 crore) to become Team India’s title sponsor for the cycle of 2023-2026, but the agreement was abolished only after one year left.
BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia had clearly stated that now the board will not connect with any real-meri gaming platform. He said, ‘Our attitude is very clear. After the government rules are implemented, BCCI Dream11 or any such gaming company cannot continue agreement. There is no scope under the new sanctions and we faced a problem with Dream11. “
BCCI lead sponsor invitation: eligibility terms
Financial eligibility
* Average turnover in the last three years should be Rs 300 crore, or
* The average net worth in the last three years should be Rs 300 crore.
Fit and Proper Person Conditions
* Do not be guilty of fraud, economic crime or serious crime.
* There should be no conflict of interest according to BCCI rules.
* Do not be guilty of a punishment of 2 years or more.
* Do not declare “Wilful Defaulter” by RBI.
* Good honesty and credibility.
Companies from these areas cannot bid –
* Online money gaming, betting or gambling (in India or abroad)
* Cryptocurrency Business (Trading, Exchange, Token)
* Restricted activities under ONLINE GAMING Act of 2025
* Investment or ownership in betting/gambling companies
* Block brand category (unless the current sponsor of that category):
Banned brand category
* Alcohol product
* Betting or gambling services
* Cryptocurrency
* Online Money Gaming
* Tobacco
* Content against pornographic material or public morality
* Surrogate branding (hiding from second name or brand)
red dates
* Last date of application: 16 September 2025
