IPL Goes Global: BCCI Eyes US & UK Franchises as India’s Cricket Economy Booms

The Indian Premier League (IPL), already the world’s richest cricket tournament, is now ready for global domination. According to senior BCCI officials, discussions are underway to expand the IPL franchise model to foreign shores, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom, where cricket is seeing a major commercial uptick.

This move isn’t about relocating the IPL season — it’s about allowing Indian franchises to own or co-own teams in other leagues, just like they’ve already done in SA20 (South Africa) and the ILT20 (UAE). Think Mumbai Indians in New York. Or Chennai Super Kings in London. The strategy? Build a global cricketing empire — much like how European football clubs operate with networks across continents.

The business case is solid. The IPL media rights deal already crossed $6.2 billion for the 2023–2027 cycle, and advertisers are pouring crores for even 10-second spots. But the real value? Extending brand IPL to new time zones, unlocking new broadcasting revenue, merchandise sales, and fanbases.

The USA, with a massive South Asian diaspora and Major League Cricket (MLC) gaining steam, is ripe for this. In fact, four IPL franchise owners already co-own teams in MLC — and BCCI wants to tighten that control. Meanwhile, UK’s The Hundred league is struggling to generate the kind of heat IPL gets — and Indian investment could revive it with money, marketing, and marquee players.

From an investor’s standpoint, this turns cricket from a seasonal Indian event into a year-round global entertainment asset. Imagine a Mumbai Indians fan following their brand across the year — in Cape Town, then Dallas, and back in Wankhede. It builds IP, loyalty, and opens up cross-platform monetization.

There are regulatory hurdles. The ICC will have to allow more overlapping franchise ownerships, and local cricket boards might resist IPL-style domination. But money talks. If Indian money can bring top players, advertisers, and viewers to their leagues — boards might welcome the disruption.

This isn’t just sports — it’s soft power. India, through IPL, is shaping global cricket not just on the field but in the boardroom. And soon, the ₹20 crore auction bid may become a global headline — not just an Indian obsession.