By Zainab Shafiq 
What defines the richest IPL team today? It is no longer just legacy or fanbase. Instead, it is performance. The 2025 season flipped the script, proving that bold gameplay and smart branding can catapult even low-ranked franchises into the commercial spotlight.
Punjab Kings, long seen as underdogs, emerged as the season’s shock success. With Shreyas Iyer leading a revamped squad to the finals, they did not just earn fan admiration, they saw a staggering 39.6% jump in valuation, taking them from $101M to $141M. While they’re still ninth in the overall rankings, their financial rise screams one thing: perform and the market will reward you. The Punjab Kings are now real contenders in the conversation about the richest IPL team.
Another breakout star was Lucknow Super Giants. Clocking a 34.1% increase to reach $122M, LSG showed that even newer teams can flex serious commercial muscle. Their consistent showings and sharp marketing have carved them into a lucrative niche in the IPL’s financial ecosystem.
RCB’s Title Win Propels Them to #1 Franchise
No team had more to celebrate than Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After nearly two decades of heartbreak, RCB finally lifted their first IPL trophy, and with it, the #1 spot in franchise valuation at $269M. Their growth of $42M was not just the highest in absolute terms, it was symbolic of how winning changes everything.
Mumbai Indians, already a dominant force, capitalised on their playoff return, jumping two spots to #2 with a value of $242M. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals saw moderate growth, enough to climb a rank each.
And what about the once-untouchable Chennai Super Kings? Despite sitting third overall at $235M, their meagre 1.7% growth showed that brand strength alone can’t carry a team in today’s performance-led market.
The average franchise growth of 17.5% and the total league valuation increasing to $1.83 billion underline a major shift: success now requires results, strategy, and adaptability. In short, the title of the richest IPL team is up for grabs, and it is no longer business as usual.
Complete IPL Franchise Growth Rankings (2024–2025) Ranked by Growth Rate:
- Punjab Kings (PBKS) – 39.60% growth | $141M value | Rank #9 | No movement
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – 34.10% growth | $122M value | Rank #10 | No movement
- Mumbai Indians (MI) – 18.60% growth | $242M value | Rank #2 | Up 2 places
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – 18.50% growth | $269M value | Rank #1 | Up 1 place
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – 16.70% growth | $154M value | Rank #5 | Up 1 place
- Delhi Capitals (DC) – 16.00% growth | $152M value | Rank #6 | Up 1 place
- Gujarat Titans (GT) – 14.50% growth | $142M value | Rank #8 | No movement
- Rajasthan Royals (RR) – 9.80% growth | $146M value | Rank #7 | Down 2 places
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – 5.10% growth | $227M value | Rank #4 | Down 1 place
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – 1.70% growth | $235M value | Rank #3 | Down 2 places
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