BCCI launches bidding for Team India’s title sponsorship but prohibits real-money gaming and crypto firms from participating after Dream11’s departure.

The Indian team will compete without a title sponsor in the Asia Cup beginning September 9 in the UAE, as the Board has set September 16 as the deadline for submitting bids.

The BCCI on Tuesday opened the bidding process for Team India’s title sponsorship rights following Dream11’s withdrawal, while excluding firms involved in real money gaming and cryptocurrency, in line with the government’s ban on such businesses.

The Indian cricket team will go into the Asia Cup, starting September 9 in the UAE, without a title sponsor, as the BCCI has set September 16 as the deadline for submitting bids.

In light of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, which outlaws all forms of online money gaming and related advertising, Dream11 has shut down its real money gaming services.

Through title sponsorships of Team India and the IPL, Dream11 and My11Circle jointly paid around ₹1,000 crore to the BCCI.

In a press release, the BCCI made it clear that bidders and their group companies must not engage in or offer online money gaming, betting, or gambling services, whether in India or abroad. The Board also barred them from investing in any such businesses operating in India.

Interested parties must purchase the Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI) by September 12, at a cost of ₹5 lakh.

It added that bidders and their group companies engaged in any business prohibited by the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 are ineligible to submit bids.

Applications will be rejected from businesses associated with tobacco, alcohol, and any entity deemed offensive to public morals, including pornography.

The BCCI also stated that it will block some brand categories from bidding because it already has sponsors in those sectors. This list covers Athleisure and Sportswear, Banking and Financial Services including NBFCs, Non-Alcoholic Cold Beverages, Fans, Mixer Grinders, Safety Locks, and Insurance.

The BCCI currently partners with brands like Adidas, Campa Cola, IDFC First Bank, and SBI Life in these categories.

A bidder engaged in multiple brand or product categories must not submit a bid for any category that falls under the Blocked or Prohibited Brand Categories.

The Board stated that bidders must not submit bids using surrogate brands. It defined surrogate branding as any indirect attempt to bid on behalf of another entity or person—such as using a different name, brand, identity, or logo to conceal the true bidder.

To meet the financial eligibility criteria, a bidder must have either an average annual turnover of at least ₹300 crore over the last three years or an average net worth of ₹300 crore during the same period.

The Board reserves the right to modify or terminate the IEOI process at any point and in any way, without the obligation to provide a reason.

Dream11, which had acquired the rights for USD 44 million (₹358 crore) for the 2023–2026 cycle, is pulling out of the deal with about a year left. Despite the early exit, they are unlikely to face any financial penalties.

“The BCCI fully understands the situation faced by one of our sponsorship partners. It’s not their fault, and unlike cases involving payment defaults, Dream11 will not face any penalties. This is a result of a government regulation that requires full compliance, and under the current circumstances, their business would have been impacted,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

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