Indian Premier League 2020 kicks off on September 19. This time we can’t say its bigger or better but it is `surely different.’
A few months ago we weren’t even sure whether IPL will be held during the COVID-19 pandemic. But too much money being at stake, the BCCI decided to go in for it after a long haul. Now, the 13th edition of the cash-rich league will finally take center stage in the United Arab Emirates from September 19th.
The 53-day tournament will consist of 10 double-headers and will be played in the bio-secure environment of the UAE behind closed doors. IPL will take place across the three venues in the United Arab Emirates- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi will host 20 round-robin games including the tournament opener, while Dubai and Sharjah will play host to 24 and 12 games respectively.
IPL will start with a blockbuster clash between the defending champions Mumbai Indians locking horns with three-time winners and the runners-up of the last edition, Chennai Super Kings.
Now with big brands backing it, cricket will be about live streaming, fantasy gaming, team sponsorships. There are no live audiences this time but viewers can catch the entire season of the IPL on the Star Sports network. You can even live stream the same on the Disney Hotstar app.
At what time will the matches start?
In a significant change from the past seasons, the day-night games in the 2020 IPL will start at 19:30 IST. The day fixtures will start at 15:30 IST.
Biggest Brands supporting the IPL
Today, we list the five biggest brands investing in the IPL. They have together invested a massive sum of more than 1100 crore rupees to make the tournament happen.
These brands will be advertising either as On-Air advertisers with broadcaster Star India, BCCI Central Sponsorships, IPL Team Sponsorships, or as advertisers on IPL Live streaming feed on Disney+ Hotstar.
According to the website InsideSport estimates, the total number of advertisers on will easily cross 200 in numbers.
IPL 2020 Central Sponsorships
6 Brands including Dream 11, Tata Motors, UNACADEMY, Cred, PayTM & CEAT
On-Air Advertising : According to Star Sports own admission already 80 advertisers are on board currently on IPL 2020. Brands like Byju’s, Amazon, Dream 11 have signed as CoPresenting partners of the league. Star is expected to sign 30-40 more advertisers over next 12 days before the IPL 2020 begins on September 19th.
Dream11
Dream11 is making big strides in the market this year. The fantasy sports platform first made a huge breakthrough by becoming the title sponsors of the IPL 2020. They then became co-presenting partners of on-air broadcast and took many team sponsorships.
They first bought title sponsorship of the league for 222 crores. Their commitment as a co-presenting partner with IPL live broadcast will be another 120-130 crores. They have also confirmed sponsorship deals with six franchises of IPL 2020. All put together, the figure is expected to touch 500 crores.
Byju’s
Byju’s the biggest spender this year on the on-air advertising. They are also the lead sponsor of Pre-Post and Mid-Innings shows. Their total on-air spending will be in the range of 150-160 crores for the season.
Amazon
Amazon is the biggest online shopping platform in the country. They have bought a co-presenting partnership with Star Sports. They will spend a sum of 120 crore rupees this year.
Amazon is a massive organization throughout the world, therefore, having them contribute to IPL is good for the sport as well.
PhonePe
Like Amazon, PhonePe is also the co-presenting partner with Star Sports. The online money platforms are going big day by day in India. They will also be spending around 120 crores.
Vi
Telecom operator Vodafone Idea, rebranded as Vi, has also become the co-presenting sponsor for IPL as well. Their contribution would be around 120 crores as well.
Interestingly, four of the five highest sponsors are online platforms.
– MyTeam11 according to the sources will be seen advertising on IPL 2020 Pre Post and Mid Inning Shows
– MyCircle11 has bought inventory spots during the Live matches and also on Disney+ Hotstar.
– Mobile Premier League already has taken title sponsorship of Kolkata Knight Riders and now are in talks with Star India for the advertising spots
– Other than this Adda52 promoted Poker Stars, Ludo King, Baazi games owned and Yuvraj Singh promoted Ballebazi.com are also negotiating with both Star & Hotstar for advertising inventory on IPL 2020.
“Mobile Gaming, Fantasy Sports, Edtech companies this time are turning out to be big advertising category”, said Ashish Chadha, CEO of leading Sports Marketing Company Sporty Solutionz.
Also, amidst the pandemic, getting that amount of investment seemed difficult at first. However, the fact that the IPL is set to begin next week goes to show it has a grip on the market.
