Which Is the Biggest Cricket Franchise in the World? 2025 Power Rankings

In the high-stakes world of T20 cricket, franchises are no longer just sports teams—they’re multi-million dollar empires. As the game expands beyond boundaries, fans across continents ask the same question: Which is the biggest cricket franchise in the world in 2025? This article ranks the top global teams based on brand value, revenue, fan base, social media reach, and on-field success. If you’re a cricket enthusiast, team owner, or just love big numbers, this power ranking lays it all out—fact by fact.

Let’s break down what makes a cricket team the biggest and see who really rules the game in 2025.

What Makes a Cricket Franchise “The Biggest”?

Before jumping into the rankings, it’s essential to define the criteria. A franchise can’t be judged by one metric alone. Here’s what we’ve used for this 2025 list:

• Brand Valuation (in USD)
• Annual Revenue and Sponsorship Deals
• Social Media Followers and Engagement
• Fan Base (Local + Global)
• Trophies and On-Field Success
• Global Expansion (USA, UAE, SA20, etc.)
• Media Rights and Viewership

These factors combine to paint a full picture of franchise dominance—not just in India, but worldwide.

Top 5 Biggest Cricket Franchises in the World – 2025 Rankings

1. Mumbai Indians (MI) – India

Brand Value (2025): $130 Million
Instagram Followers: 14.8 Million
Championships: 5 IPL Titles
Global Reach: Teams in SA20 (MI Cape Town) and ILT20 (MI Emirates)

Why MI Is No. 1:
Mumbai Indians remain the biggest cricket franchise in the world thanks to a killer combination of legacy, financial strength, and international presence. Owned by Reliance Industries, MI has invested heavily in global expansion. Their ability to win matches and dominate the sponsorship market makes them the gold standard in franchise cricket.

Pros:

• Strongest brand value in IPL
• High-profile sponsors like Slice, DHL, and Jio
• Global team expansion

Cons:

• On-field performance dipped in 2023 and 2024

2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – India

Brand Value (2025): $122 Million
Instagram Followers: 13.2 Million
Championships: 5 IPL Titles
Fan Base: One of the most loyal in sports

Why CSK Stays on Top:
Led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni for years, CSK built a culture and community that goes beyond cricket. Even with new leadership in 2025, the fan loyalty remains unmatched. CSK’s business model is clean, efficient, and driven by trust.

Pros:

• Massive and emotional fan engagement
• Excellent merchandise sales
• Balanced team investments

Cons:

• Limited global franchise expansion
• Dependent on legacy players

Also read: Types of Cricket Shots

3. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – India

Brand Value (2025): $102 Million
Instagram Followers: 5.8 Million
Championships: 2 IPL Titles
Global Reach: Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20)

Why KKR Is Rising Fast:
KKR, co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has positioned itself as a true global cricket brand. Their smart marketing, diversified investments, and expansion into multiple leagues make them a serious contender in the top tier.

Pros:

• Diversified international teams
• Entertainment + sports marketing strength
• Deep Caribbean and UAE presence

Cons:

• Inconsistent IPL performance
• Lower fan retention compared to CSK or MI

4. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – India

Brand Value (2025): $97 Million
Instagram Followers: 12.3 Million
Championships: 0 IPL Titles
Fan Loyalty: Exceptionally high despite no titles

Why RCB Is Still Huge:
RCB has never won the IPL, yet continues to attract millions of fans every year. Virat Kohli’s long-standing association helped grow its fan base like wildfire. The franchise has maximized sponsorship and merchandise revenue despite its trophy cabinet being empty.

Pros:

• Celebrity power: Kohli, Faf, and AB de Villiers legacy
• Strong digital strategy
• Massive youth following

Cons:

• No major titles
• Over-reliance on star value

5. Delhi Capitals (DC) – India

Brand Value (2025): $81 Million
Instagram Followers: 3.8 Million
Championships: 0 IPL Titles
Ownership: JSW and GMR Group

Why DC Makes the List:
Though they haven’t won a title yet, Delhi Capitals’ smart financial management, stable ownership, and future-focused team development have made them a rising franchise to watch. Their push toward younger players and digital branding has started paying off.

Pros:

• Solid business growth
• Innovative sponsorship packages
• Emerging talent pipeline

Cons:

• Still chasing first title
• Smaller global presence

Honorable Mentions

• Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Mid-table on revenue, decent fan base.
• Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Strong in data analytics, but smaller following.
• Gujarat Titans (GT) – Exploded after 2022 win, still building long-term brand.

Global Expansion: A Key Growth Indicator

Teams like MI and KKR are actively building international footprints:

• MI Emirates in ILT20
• MI Cape Town in SA20
• Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20

These teams boost revenue and allow franchises to tap into new cricket audiences in Africa, UAE, and the Caribbean.

Social Media Impact in 2025

A strong online presence isn’t just about followers—it drives sponsorships, merchandise, and engagement. Here’s where the top 3 stand in May 2025:

• Mumbai Indians: 14.8M (Instagram), 8.3M (Twitter), 5.1M (YouTube)
• Chennai Super Kings: 13.2M (Instagram), 7.9M (Twitter), 4.8M (YouTube)
• RCB: 12.3M (Instagram), 8.1M (Twitter), 5.5M (YouTube)

The gap is narrowing each season, but MI continues to lead across most platforms.

Media Rights and Viewership

IPL media rights for 2023–2027 were sold for over $6.2 billion, proving the global pull of these franchises. Teams like MI and CSK benefit the most with prime-time slots, top match viewership, and brand visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the biggest cricket franchise in the world in 2025?

Mumbai Indians hold the top spot based on brand value, fan base, and global expansion.

Which team has the most loyal fans?

Chennai Super Kings fans are widely considered the most loyal and emotionally attached.

Does winning titles matter?

Yes, but brand growth, financials, and global reach are also key metrics.

Why is RCB in the top 5 despite no titles?

Massive fan engagement, high-profile players, and digital presence keep RCB highly valuable.

Are any non-Indian franchises in the top 5?

As of 2025, no non-IPL franchise matches the scale of Indian teams in brand value or reach.

Final Verdict

In 2025, the biggest cricket franchise in the world is clearly Mumbai Indians. With unmatched brand strength, international teams, deep pockets, and a devoted fan base, MI leads the global cricket empire. CSK and KKR are not far behind, while RCB continues to surprise everyone with its off-field dominance.

As cricket continues to evolve into a franchise-driven sport, the competition will only get tighter. With expansion into leagues like Major League Cricket (USA) and SA20 (South Africa), the fight for supremacy is going global.

Which team do you think will be No. 1 in 2026? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Share this with your cricket crew and let the debate begin!