BCCI Floats Tender for New Team India Lead Sponsor After Dream11 Exit

• By Thetripurapost Sports Desk, New Delhi
• Sep 03, 2025
• 576

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday invited bids from “reputed firms” for the lead sponsorship rights of the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams, after fantasy sports platform Dream11 pulled out of its contract.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) document was released on September 2, with the deadline for bid submissions set for September 16. However, with the Asia Cup around the corner, there is growing uncertainty over whether Suryakumar Yadav-led Team India will feature without a front-of-jersey sponsor. The women’s team too faces a similar situation ahead of the World Cup starting September 30 in Guwahati.

Dream11’s three-year deal with BCCI came to a premature end following the enforcement of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, which effectively banned real-money gaming platforms from sponsoring sports properties in India.

According to BCCI’s release, firms seeking sponsorship rights must pay a non-refundable fee of ₹5 lakh plus applicable GST for the EOI document. Eligibility conditions also include a minimum average turnover or net worth of ₹300 crore over the last three financial years.

The BCCI has categorically barred firms linked to online money gaming, betting, gambling, cryptocurrency, alcohol, and tobacco from bidding.

“Our stand is very clear. With government regulations in place, the BCCI cannot continue its sponsorship relationship with Dream11 or any such other gaming company. Under the new restrictions, there is no scope, and we are facing a roadblock with Dream11,” BCCI joint secretary Devajit Saikia told India Today.

With strict guidelines in place, the cricket board now faces a tight race against time to secure a high-value sponsor before India’s upcoming international commitments.