Top 5 Ways Cricket Boards Make Money Worldwide

Cricket is more than just a sport — it’s a billion-dollar business. From international tours and franchise leagues to digital rights and sponsorships, cricket boards today function like full-fledged corporations. Some cricket boards earn significantly more than others, with India’s Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) leading the way by a massive margin. In this detailed article, we’ll explore how cricket boards make money globally, which boards are the richest cricket board, and what makes BCCI stand tall among the rest.

Introduction: The Business of Cricket

While cricket might have originated as a gentleman’s game, it has evolved into one of the most profitable sports worldwide. The financial health of a cricket board decides the growth of the sport in that country — from grassroots investment to world-class stadiums and lucrative player contracts. Let’s dive deep into the various revenue streams of cricket boards and see how they keep their operations running smoothly.

How Cricket Boards Earn Money: An Overview

Cricket boards have multiple income sources, and these vary based on market size, international calendar, and popularity of domestic leagues. Here are the five primary ways they generate revenue:

1. Broadcasting Rights

Broadcasting rights are the biggest revenue source for most cricket boards. This includes selling television and digital rights to networks and streaming platforms for domestic and international matches.

a) What Are Broadcasting Rights?

Broadcasting rights allow media companies to air cricket matches live on television or online platforms in exchange for a fixed sum or a share of ad revenue.

b) Why Are They Valuable?

Live cricket matches attract millions of viewers, making them prime content for advertisers. The higher the audience, the more money broadcasters pay.

c) Examples

BCCI’s IPL rights deal (2023-2027): ₹48,390 crore (around $6 billion)

ECB’s The Hundred: Significant earnings from Sky Sports and BBC partnerships

Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL): Domestic and international rights add millions to their revenue

2. Sponsorship Deals

Sponsorship deals form another major income stream. Corporates pay huge sums to get their logos on players’ jerseys, stadium hoardings, and digital broadcasts.

a) How Sponsorship Works

Brands partner with cricket boards to gain exposure through team kits, ground branding, toss ceremonies, and presentation backdrops.

b) Example Deals

BCCI: Dream11 (lead sponsor), Mastercard, Adidas

Cricket Australia: Qantas, Vodafone, Alinta Energy

PCB: Pepsi, Brighto Paints, ParkView

3. Ticket Sales and Matchday Revenue

High-profile matches attract huge crowds, and ticket sales contribute a substantial share of cricket boards' earnings.

a) Stadium Capacity Matters

The larger the stadium and the more high-stake matches it hosts, the higher the ticket revenue.

b) Example Events

Narendra Modi Stadium, India: Can generate ₹20 crore per match in ticket sales

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG): Huge earnings during Ashes and World Cup matches

4. Franchise Tournaments and League Fees

Franchise leagues like IPL, BBL, PSL, and SA20 have become multi-million-dollar properties. Cricket boards earn from franchise fees, sponsorship deals, ticket sales, and broadcasting rights.

a) How Boards Profit from T20 Leagues

Boards charge annual fees from franchise owners, take a cut from central sponsorship deals, and retain a share of broadcasting revenue.

b) IPL Example

Franchise Fees: Every IPL team pays BCCI a yearly franchise fee.

Sponsorship Revenue: Central sponsorship pool shared between BCCI and franchises.

Broadcasting Revenue: BCCI gets the majority share.

5. ICC Tournament Hosting Rights

Hosting ICC tournaments like World Cups and Champions Trophies brings substantial revenue through ticket sales, local sponsorship deals, and hospitality packages.

a) Examples

2023 ODI World Cup in India: Helped BCCI generate record profits

2019 Cricket World Cup in England: Boosted ECB’s annual revenue significantly

Richest Cricket Boards in the World: 2025 Rankings

Here’s a look at the top cricket boards based on estimated net worth and annual revenue:

1️⃣ Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

Net Worth: $2.4 billion (₹20,000+ crore)

Annual Revenue: ₹6,500 crore+

Major Revenue Source: IPL broadcasting and sponsorship deals

2️⃣ England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)

Net Worth: $70 million

Annual Revenue: Approx $250 million

3️⃣ Cricket Australia (CA)

Net Worth: $65 million

Annual Revenue: Approx $210 million

4️⃣ Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)

Net Worth: $55 million

Annual Revenue: Approx $180 million

5️⃣ Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)

Net Worth: $50 million

Annual Revenue: Approx $150 million

Why BCCI is the Richest Cricket Board

BCCI’s dominance in the cricket economy comes from a combination of factors:

A cricket-crazy population

The Indian Premier League (IPL)

Lucrative broadcasting rights

Mega sponsorship deals

World-class cricket infrastructure

BCCI also benefits from its control over Indian cricket, international fixtures, and a strong presence in ICC decision-making.

IPL: The Biggest Revenue Generator

The IPL alone contributes around 60% of BCCI’s total annual revenue.

Key Figures

Media Rights (2023-2027): ₹48,390 crore

Sponsorship Revenue: ₹1,500 crore annually

Franchise Fees: ₹600+ crore yearly

Future of Cricket Board Revenues

Cricket boards are increasingly exploring new revenue avenues:

Digital streaming partnerships (Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime, JioCinema)

International franchise league collaborations

Licensing and merchandising

NFTs and digital collectibles

Global T20 leagues

Conclusion: Cricket’s Growing Economy

Cricket has transitioned from a traditional sport into a global business empire. Cricket boards now operate like corporations, with diversified income streams beyond match tickets and national team tours. The BCCI stands tall as the richest cricket board in the world, with other boards like ECB, CA, and PCB maintaining steady growth through innovative league structures and smart commercial deals.