When it comes to cricket today, it’s not just about winning matches—it’s about building influence, growing fan bases, and attracting major sponsorship deals. The biggest cricket franchise in the world isn’t just defined by trophies anymore, but by global popularity, digital dominance, and commercial strength.

In this blog, we’re ranking the top cricket franchises in the world by social media reach and sponsorship power—the two strongest indicators of a team’s market value and global impact in 2025. From India’s IPL powerhouses to new-age global ventures, here’s who’s leading the way.

Why Social Media and Sponsorships Matter in Modern Cricket

Cricket franchises aren’t just sports teams anymore—they’re global entertainment brands. Social media and sponsorships are now core metrics of success because:

• Fans follow teams online far beyond match days.

• Sponsorships fund operations, player salaries, and expansions.

• Brand partnerships are based on audience engagement and visibility.

In 2025, a cricket franchise’s true strength lies in its global fan engagement and commercial appeal, and that’s what this ranking reflects.

Ranking Methodology

Our rankings are based on two key measurable criteria:

1. Social Media Followers (Combined across Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok)

2. Annual Sponsorship Revenue (2024–25 season)

We’ve used publicly available data, team disclosures, and reports from market analysts like Duff & Phelps and Brand Finance.

1. Mumbai Indians (India)

Followers: 41.2 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $35 Million/year

Mumbai Indians are the biggest cricket franchise in the world by every commercial metric. Owned by Reliance Industries, MI has built a massive digital ecosystem, boasting huge engagement across Instagram and YouTube.

Sponsorships include: Slice, DHL, Dream11, Marriott Bonvoy, and Jio.

Why MI Leads:

• 5 IPL titles

• Star-studded lineups (Rohit Sharma, Bumrah, Hardik Pandya)

• Strategic expansion into SA20 and ILT20

2. Chennai Super Kings (India)

Followers: 39.6 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $30 Million/year

Led for years by MS Dhoni, CSK enjoys unmatched fan loyalty. Their fan base extends beyond India into South Asia and the Middle East.

Top Sponsors: TVS Eurogrip, India Cements, Gulf Oil, FanCraze

Key Strengths:

• Strong brand identity

• Repeat sponsorship deals for over 5 years

• Engagement rate among the highest in IPL

3. Royal Challengers Bangalore (India)

Followers: 36.5 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $28 Million/year

Despite never winning an IPL title, RCB is a social media powerhouse, thanks to players like Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis.

Big Sponsors: Qatar Airways, Puma, Happilo, Muthoot Fincorp

RCB’s Edge:

• Strong merchandise sales

• High emotional connection with fans

• One of the most followed cricket franchises globally

4. Kolkata Knight Riders (India + Global)

Followers: 31.9 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $26 Million/year

Co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, KKR is more than just a team—it’s a global brand. With franchises in CPL (Trinbago Knight Riders) and ILT20, they’ve expanded aggressively.

Major Sponsors: MyFab11, BKT, Joy Personal Care

Unique Factor:

• First IPL team to go global

• High entertainment quotient

• Major appeal among young fans

5. Delhi Capitals (India)

Followers: 19.2 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $19 Million/year

Backed by JSW and GMR, DC has built a strong digital-first brand in recent years, riding on young stars and aggressive marketing.

Sponsors Include: JSW, DP World, RapiPay, Greenply

Strengths:

• High-performing U23 talent

• Rising brand value post-2020 finals

• Smart content strategies across platforms

6. Gujarat Titans (India)

Followers: 9.6 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $17 Million/year

A new entrant that’s already among the top franchises after winning IPL 2022. Their digital growth is one of the fastest in the league.

Top Sponsors: Capri Loans, BKT, Dream11

Notable Points:

• Aggressive fan outreach

• Modern branding appeal

• Huge growth potential in Tier 2 and 3 cities

7. Sunrisers Hyderabad (India)

Followers: 11.7 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $15 Million/year

Consistent performance and strong player development keep SRH relevant, but limited social media innovation holds them back.

Major Sponsors: Kent RO, FanCraze, Cars24

8. Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan Super League)

Followers: 10.3 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $12 Million/year

One of the biggest cricket franchises outside India, Lahore Qalandars enjoys massive popularity in Pakistan and a fast-growing digital fan base.

Key Sponsors: Jazz, Bank Alfalah, Haier

Strength:

• Consistent community programs

• Strong performance in PSL 2022 and 2023

• Rising international interest

9. Trinbago Knight Riders (Caribbean Premier League)

Followers: 3.8 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $9 Million/year

An extension of the KKR brand, TKR combines Caribbean flair with Bollywood backing.

Sponsorships: Dream11, KFC, Digicel

10. MI Cape Town (SA20 – South Africa)

Followers: 2.1 Million+
Sponsorship Revenue: $8.5 Million/year

Mumbai Indians’ expansion into South Africa has already started paying off. Though still new, MI Cape Town shows signs of becoming a future commercial force.

Sponsors: Betway, Reliance Global

Pros & Cons of Social Media and Sponsorship Dominance

Pros:

• Builds long-term brand equity

• Attracts global talent and investors

• Increases team valuation

• Improves content monetization

Cons:

• Over-reliance on digital metrics can mislead core performance

• Short-term deals may hurt brand loyalty

• High expectations often lead to pressure on players

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the biggest cricket franchise in the world by value?
Currently, Mumbai Indians hold the top spot in terms of brand value and global influence.

How is social media important for cricket franchises?
It helps teams connect with fans, attract sponsors, and expand globally—especially during off-season periods.

Which cricket franchise has the most fans on Instagram?
As of 2025, Chennai Super Kings leads on Instagram with over 14 million followers.

Do sponsors impact team selection or performance?
No, but sponsorship revenue directly affects infrastructure, player retention, and team operations.

Final Thoughts

The cricket world has changed. It’s not just about who wins on the field but who dominates off it. The biggest cricket franchise in the world is now measured not just by trophies, but by fan loyalty, digital power, and commercial strength.

As teams expand across continents, launch merch lines, and sign global icons, their ability to lead online and land big sponsorships defines their success. If you’re tracking the next super-team or want to invest emotionally or financially, watch their social reach and partner list—those are today’s trophies.

Got a favorite team on the list? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and share this with fellow cricket fans!