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Royal Challengers Bengaluru stands as one of the most prominent teams in the IPL, still striving to claim their first IPL title. Participating since the inaugural season, they have consistently demonstrated strong performances.
The team’s best finish in the tournament has been as runners-up, a feat they achieved in 2009, 2011, and 2016. Their first final appearance was against Deccan Chargers. They lost by 6 runs and missed out on their first title.
The last time they reached the final was in the 2016 season, led by captain Virat Kohli. That year, they fell short against Sunrisers Hyderabad, losing by just 8 runs. Finishing second in 2016, the team earned a significant 10 crore INR from the prize pool. Additionally, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made it to the playoffs on 9 occasions.
The full report is available on the TCNI website: https://tcni.in/royal-challengers-bengaluru-sponsorships-and-financial-overview/.Â
Social Media
With a dominant presence across social media platforms, Royal Challengers Bengaluru ranks among the most followed IPL teams. The loyalty of their fanbase plays a crucial role. It helps them attract millions of followers.
This fan loyalty has secured the team the third position in terms of social media popularity among IPL franchises. Consistent IPL performances and the star power of players like Virat Kohli have further bolstered their reach. The team’s vast social media influence has also attracted numerous sponsors within the tournament.
Sponsorships: Key Partnerships
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has created significant value through consistent performances on and off the field. This has attracted numerous sponsors. In the current IPL season, several companies have partnered with the team, benefiting both parties. These sponsors gain exposure at the world’s largest cricket event, while the team receives valuable sponsorship revenue. In this section, we will highlight the companies supporting RCB this season.
Title Sponsors: Qatar Airways
For a long time, Qatar Airways has been the title sponsor of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and this partnership extends into the current season. Fans can spot the airline’s logo on the team’s match and practice jerseys, prominently placed at the front. RCB players also appear in Qatar Airways advertisements. This contributes to the airline’s marketing efforts and helps attract more customers.
Principal Partners
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has secured three principal sponsors, collaborating with prominent companies, including:
- KEI: A leading wire and cables brand in India, whose logo appears on the back of the team’s jersey, just below the jersey number.
- Delhivery:A well-known courier service displays its logo on the front of the RCB jersey.
- Jio: India’s popular telecom company, also a principal partner for RCB and several other IPL teams.
Associate Sponsors
Along with its principal sponsors, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has a range of associate sponsors which contribute to the team’s success in the IPL. These include:
- PUMA: A globally recognized sportswear brand, which has formed a strong association with RCB.
- Hindware Italian Collection: Known for its home appliances and Italian-designed products, this company is another key associate sponsor.
- Boat: Famous for its audio products like headphones and earbuds, Boat has joined as an associate sponsor.
- Confirmtkt: A popular train booking platform, now part of RCB’s list of associate sponsors for the current season.
- Birla Estates: This real estate firm also partners with RCB as an associate sponsor this season.
- Nippon Paint: A preferred choice for many home builders, Nippon Paint is another valued associate sponsor for the team.
Official Partners
A variety of companies have partnered with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as official sponsors for the current IPL season. These include:
- Tap with GPay: A payment application, now an official partner of the team.
- Bisleri: The well-known packaged water brand also joins the list of official partners.
- Royal Challenge: The Indian whiskey brand, a key official partner for RCB.
- Dream11: A popular fantasy sports app partners with multiple IPL teams, including RCB.
- Kingfisher: The Bengaluru-based beer company is an official partner of the team.
- Jiocinema: As the broadcasting partner for IPL, Jiocinema is also a sponsor of RCB.
- Bigbasket Now: The grocery delivery app has been added to RCB’s list of official partners.
- ARL Tyres: Known for high-quality tires, ARL Tyres has joined as an official partner.
- Payzapp: The payment service by HDFC Bank continues to support RCB as an official partner.
- Naukri: A job platform, dedicated to helping Indians find opportunities, now sponsors RCB.
- Hangyo: The ice cream company also partnered with RCB for this IPL season.
- Manipal Hospitals: Known for providing affordable healthcare services, they are an official partner this season.
- Navitassolar: A solar energy provider, now supporting RCB as an official partner.
- Kwality: The dairy company has joined RCB’s official partner roster for this season.
- Pexpo: Known for its water bottles, Pexpo is another official partner of the team.
- KPT: This company, specializing in electric power tools, is now an official partner.
- Hurricane: The energy drink brand has collaborated with RCB as an official partner.
- ITC Master Chef Creations: A frozen food manufacturer, now supporting RCB this season.
- NVY: Known for its TV appliances, particularly those made in Bengaluru, NVY is also an official partner.
- Advance: Specializing in home construction items, Advance has joined as an official partner.
- Duroflex: The leading mattress provider in India continues as an official partner for RCB.
- BoldFit: A gym and fitness brand, BoldFit is also one of RCB’s official sponsors.
- Frido: A Pune-based brand offering body support products, now an official partner.
- Kotak Life: The well-established insurance company is also partnering with RCB this season.
- Fever: The FM radio station provides coverage and insights for all RCB matches.
- 92.7 Big FM: A popular FM channel, also offering coverage of RCB’s games for their fans.
Exclusive Ticketing Partner: TicketGenie
As the exclusive ticketing partner for Royal Challengers Bengaluru this IPL season, TicketGenie enables fans to book tickets for the team’s home matches via both the RCB website and the TicketGenie platform. The service also allows fans to secure tickets for RCB events hosted at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Business Operations and Financials
Through its sponsorships, Royal Challengers Bengaluru secures substantial financial backing. This creates a strong foundation for the IPL season. In addition to sponsorships, the team generates revenue from multiple other channels, such as media rights, merchandise sales, prize money, and more. These diverse income sources further strengthen the team’s finances. They also give fans insight into the team’s financial operations.
Media Rights
The BCCI sold the broadcasting rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) from the 2023 to 2027 seasons to Star India and Viacom18, with a total value of 48,390 crore INR for the entire period. The BCCI retains around 40 to 50% of the media rights revenue each season, with the remaining amount being evenly distributed among the IPL teams. Royal Challengers Bengaluru stands to earn a substantial share from these media rights.
Sponsorship Revenue
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has secured partnerships with a range of companies in the current IPL season. Notable collaborators include Jiocinema, Dream11, Kwality, PUMA, Kotak Life, and many others. While the earnings for the current season remain undisclosed, reports indicate that the team earned approximately 15.5 million dollars from sponsorships in the IPL 2023 season.
Stadium Ticket Sales
The home ground of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, hosts all of the team’s home matches and attracts a large fanbase. With a capacity of 35,000 spectators, the stadium is usually packed during RCB’s games, as fans gather to enjoy the intense IPL action.
Merchandise Sales
RCB offers a range of merchandise through its official website and PUMA’s platform and allows fans to purchase items like replica jerseys, fan jerseys, caps, shorts, pants, and more. The team experienced a boost in revenue from merchandise sales during the IPL season, particularly following the redesign of their jersey for the 2024 season.
Prize Money
Despite not securing their first IPL title, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has consistently performed well. The team reached the final three times and the playoffs on nine occasions. In the 2016 season, they finished as runners-up and earned 10 crore INR from the tournament’s prize pool. Though they haven’t clinched the title, RCB has still generated significant revenue through prize money.
Recent Developments: WPL
Royal Challengers Bengaluru made its mark in the Women’s Premier League by acquiring a team, named Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women. The team has competed since the tournament’s first edition. In the WPL 2024 final, they triumphed by defeating Delhi Capitals. Alongside their success, the women’s team secured sponsorships from brands like Kajaria, Mia by Tanishq, Royal Challenge, Himalaya, Sunfeast, and more.
Conclusion
Although Royal Challengers Bengaluru has not secured an IPL title, its popularity remains immense. This allows the team to attract substantial sponsorships. In addition to these partnerships, the team generates revenue through various channels, including media rights, stadium ticket sales, prize money, merchandise sales, and more.