BCCI Releases IEOI for Team India Sponsorship, Restricts Bidding for Gaming, Betting, Gambling, and Tobacco Brands

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday has announced the release of the Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI) for the National Team Lead Sponsor Rights. The move opens up the opportunity for reputable companies to bid for sponsorship of Team India, while explicitly excluding certain industries from participation.

IEOI Release and Important Dates

BCCI announced that it is seeking bids from reputable companies for the National Team Lead Sponsor Rights. The IEOI contains full details on the rules for submitting and assessing bids. Companies interested in participating must pay a non-refundable fee of Rs 500,000 along with applicable GST to obtain the documents.

Key dates for the IEOI process are:

Release of IEOI: September 2, 2025

Last date to purchase IEOI: September 12, 2025

Submission of bid documents: September 16, 2025

Bidders are required to send payment confirmation to sponsorship@bcci.tv to receive the IEOI documents. Simply buying the IEOI does not make a company eligible to bid. Only those that fulfil all the conditions outlined in the IEOI can submit a bid. BCCI reserves the right to modify or cancel the process at any time without providing a reason.

Restrictions on Ineligible Bidders

Companies involved in online gaming, betting, gambling, or similar services in India or globally are not allowed to bid. According to BCCI:

1. Bidders and their group companies must not provide online gaming, betting, or gambling services in India or elsewhere.

2. Bidders must not hold any investments or ownership in companies engaged in such activities.

3. Any activities banned under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, will make a bidder ineligible.

4. Additionally, companies involved in cryptocurrency trading, exchanges, or tokens are also barred.

Rules on Brand Categories

Companies managing multiple brands are not allowed to place bids in blocked or restricted brand categories. The blocked brand categories include:

1. Athleisure and Sportswear Manufacturers
2. Banks and Financial Services
3. Non-Alcoholic Cold Beverages
4. Fans, Mixer Grinders, and Safety Locks

Insurance

Only existing sponsors in these categories may bid. Bidders cannot submit bids through surrogate brands, which means attempting to bid indirectly using another entity or name.

Prohibited Industries

BCCI has prohibited brands involved in tobacco, cryptocurrency, online gaming, betting, gambling, or content considered offensive to public morals, such as pornography. Firms in these sectors are not eligible to take part in the bidding.