How BCCI Earns Money: ₹9,741 Cr Breakdown Behind IPL’s ₹5,761 Cr Success

If you think cricket is just a game in India, think again. For the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), it's a full-blown big business — and a wildly successful one. In the financial year 2023–24 alone, BCCI pulled in a staggering ₹9,741.7 crore in revenue. That’s not a typo — that’s the scale we’re talking about. And this money doesn’t come from just ticket sales or merchandise. The real earnings are driven by broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, global licensing, and above all, the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

In this blog, we’ll break down exactly where the money comes from — and why the IPL stands as the biggest money-maker in Indian sports.

IPL: The Biggest Moneymaker for BCCI

Let’s not sugarcoat it — IPL is the main reason BCCI is swimming in money. Out of the total revenue in 2023–24, around ₹5,761 crore came from IPL alone. That’s more than half of all income.

Why does IPL matter so much?

1. Media Rights: The Real Jackpot

TV and streaming companies are fighting hard to show IPL. That fight turned into big money for BCCI.

• TV rights: Disney Star paid over ₹23,575 crore
  
• Digital rights: Digital Rights: Viacom18 (JioCinema) paid ₹20,500 crore (for exclusive digital) + ₹3,258 crore (for non-exclusive rights)
  
• Total: ₹48,390 crore for 2023–2027.

Even just the 2023 season gave BCCI thousands of crores through these deals.

2. Fees from IPL Teams

Every team in IPL shares a portion of their earnings with BCCI. In 2023, this added ₹2,117 crore to the board’s pocket.

3. Sponsorships and Ads

The IPL is watched by millions, so brands pay big money to be seen during matches. BCCI made ₹847 crore from sponsors in just one season.

Money from ICC: Global Cricket’s Payout

The International Cricket Council (ICC) also pays BCCI a fat share of its global revenue. Why? Because India brings in the biggest crowds, most views, and major ad money.

In 2023–24:

• BCCI got ₹1,042 crore from the ICC in 2023–24
  
• That’s around 11% of total income
  
• Future Growth: From 2024–2027, BCCI will receive 38.5% of the ICC’s net distributable surplus (not gross earnings), reflecting India’s commercial dominance.

Basically, Indian cricket is carrying the world game — and getting paid for it.

Interest Income: Earning Without Playing

Here’s a smart move: BCCI doesn’t spend all the money it earns. It invests it.

From just interest alone (on fixed deposits, government bonds, etc.), BCCI earned ₹986 crore in 2023–24. That’s more than what most sports bodies make in total.

This is passive income done right.

WPL: A New Star on the Rise

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) may be new, but it’s already showing promise.

In its first season:

• Income: ₹636 crore
  
• Expenses: ₹259 crore
  
• Profit: ₹377 crore

That’s a great start for women’s cricket in India. It’s not just about equal opportunities anymore — it’s also good business.

Broadcast Rights (Non-IPL)

Apart from IPL, BCCI still hosts India’s matches against other countries. These are watched by millions and sold to broadcasters as well.

In 2023–24, BCCI made ₹813 crore from media rights for men’s and women’s international games. That’s about 8% of total revenue.

International Matches in India

Whenever another team tours India for a series, BCCI earns from:

• Tickets
  
• Sponsors
  
• Broadcasting
  
• Licensing

This brought in ₹361 crore in 2023–24. Not small, but still far behind the IPL machine.

Other Income

BCCI also earns money from:

• Stadium advertising
  
• Licensing deals
  
• Penalties, fines, and miscellaneous fees

This category brought in ₹400 crore — a decent chunk.

Where Does All the Money Go?

While this blog is about income, let’s quickly talk about spending. In the same year:

• BCCI spent around ₹6,648 crore
  
• That includes match fees, stadiums, state boards, staff, and events
  
• The final profit was over ₹5,100 crore

Yes, after all expenses, they still made more than ₹5,000 crore. That’s why the BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world.

Quick Breakdown of BCCI’s Revenue (2023–24)

Source	Amount (₹ Cr)	Share (%)
IPL Surplus	5,761.0	59.1%
ICC Distribution	1,042.4	10.7%
Interest Income	986.5	10.1%
Media Rights (Non-IPL)	813.1	8.3%
Surplus from WPL	377.5	3.9%
International Tours in India	361.2	3.7%
Others	400.0	4.1%
Total Revenue	9,741.7	100%

Where Does BCCI Spend Its Money?

It’s not just about earning — running Indian cricket costs serious money too.

In 2023–24, BCCI’s total expenditure was ₹6,648 crore, and here’s where most of it went:

• Player salaries and match fees
  
• Grants to state cricket associations
  
• Hosting and organizing international/domestic matches
  
• Stadium upgrades and infrastructure
  
• Staff, admin, and travel costs

BCCI also invests heavily in grassroots development, domestic tournaments like Ranji Trophy, and the National Cricket Academy. This helps build the pipeline for future Indian teams.

Even after all of this, BCCI had a ₹5,100 crore surplus — which shows just how strong their revenue model is.

How BCCI Compares to Other Cricket Boards

To understand BCCI’s size, let’s compare it quickly with other top boards:

• BCCI (India): ₹9,741 crore revenue in 2023–24
  
• ECB (England): ₹2,700 crore (approx, FY 2022–23)
  
• CA (Australia): ₹2,200 crore (approx, FY 2022–23)
  
• PCB (Pakistan): ₹1,000 crore (estimated)

BCCI earns more than all other boards combined. Thanks to IPL, a massive fan base, and strong brand partnerships, India is the financial backbone of world cricket.

What Will Drive BCCI’s Future Growth?

Even though it's already on top, BCCI has more room to grow.

• WPL Expansion: More teams, more matches, and rising viewership
  
• Digital Rights Boom: OTT platforms are paying more every year
  
• International T20 Leagues: Possible collaborations or stakes in global leagues
  
• More ICC Events in India: India will host major tournaments like the 2026 T20 World Cup

As cricket keeps growing globally, and as Indian audiences shift to streaming, BCCI is in a perfect position to earn even more.

Public Concerns: Is Everything Transparent?

While BCCI’s success is clear, there are some public concerns too:

• Lack of detailed public audits or expense breakdowns
  
• Unclear distribution of funds to domestic cricket
  
• Opaque decision-making at the top

These issues don’t affect earnings, but they do lead to questions about how money is used — especially for grassroots development and fair governance.

That said, BCCI has taken steps in recent years to improve structure and compliance under pressure from the Supreme Court and Lodha Committee recommendations.

What Makes BCCI So Successful?

Let’s keep it simple:

• IPL is a monster brand — it prints money
  
• Indian cricket is watched by millions, so advertisers pay top rupee
  
• BCCI negotiates smart deals — whether with ICC or sponsors
  
• They invest well and grow interest income
  
• Even new formats like WPL are profitable from Day 1

No tricks, no hype. Just solid execution.

Pros and Cons of BCCI’s Business Model

Pros

• Huge and growing income
  
• Strong brand value through IPL
  
• Smart financial management
  
• Diversified sources (not just tickets or merch)

Cons

• Very heavy dependence on IPL
  
• Less focus on growing domestic cricket financially
  
• Not enough public transparency in expenses

Final Thoughts

The BCCI's financial model is built on a blend of media dominance, strategic commercialization, and India's unmatched cricket craze. Its ability to turn passion into profit has not only elevated Indian cricket but also reshaped global cricket economics. With innovations like the Women’s Premier League and increasing digital engagement, BCCI’s earnings are only expected to grow.

In short, cricket is a business — and BCCI is its most successful CEO.

FAQs About BCCI's Earnings

1. How does BCCI make most of its money?
BCCI makes most of its money from IPL media rights, franchise fees, and central sponsorship deals.

2. How much did BCCI earn in 2023–24?
BCCI earned ₹9,741.7 crore in the financial year 2023–24.

3. How much money does BCCI get from IPL?
BCCI earned ₹5,761 crore from IPL in 2023–24.

4. What is the IPL media rights deal worth?
The IPL media rights deal for 2023–2027 is worth ₹48,390 crore.

5. How much money does BCCI receive from the ICC?
BCCI received ₹1,042 crore from ICC in 2023–24.

6. Does BCCI earn from the Women’s Premier League (WPL)?
Yes, BCCI earned ₹377 crore profit from WPL in its first season.

7. What are BCCI’s other income sources besides IPL?
Other income sources include ICC payouts, interest income, WPL, ticket sales, merchandising, and bilateral series media rights.

8. How does BCCI spend its money?
BCCI spends on player fees, match operations, infrastructure, state board grants, and administration.

9. Is BCCI richer than other cricket boards?
Yes, BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world.

10. Is BCCI’s revenue model sustainable?
Yes, due to IPL growth, WPL expansion, digital rights, and strong investments.

Disclaimer:

This blog is for informational purposes only. All financial figures mentioned are based on available data and reports from credible public sources as of the financial year 2023–24. The content does not represent any official statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or its affiliates. Readers are encouraged to cross-verify data and consult original sources for complete accuracy.

Source:

BCCI Revenue Report FY 2023–24