Which Is the Biggest Cricket Franchise in the World? Find Out Here

Manan Joshi
3 hours ago
4 min read

When it comes to cricket, fans across the globe have strong loyalties to their favorite teams. With the rise of franchise cricket, especially in T20 leagues like the IPL, the competition is no longer just about winning titles — it’s also about popularity, revenue, brand value, and global reach. But one question keeps coming up: Which is the biggest cricket franchise in the world?

In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know — backed by stats, facts, and real insights — to understand who sits on top of the cricket world right now.

Let’s break it all down.

What Makes a Cricket Franchise the Biggest?

Before naming the biggest franchise, let’s quickly understand what makes a cricket team truly massive. A "big" franchise isn’t just about trophies. Here's what counts:

Brand Value
Fan Base (social media & offline)
Revenue & Sponsorships
Merchandise Sales
Performance History
Media Rights & Global Reach

Each of these factors adds weight. Together, they form a clear picture of dominance.

The Rise of Cricket Franchises: A Global Overview

Cricket has evolved. While international matches still hold value, franchise-based leagues have exploded in popularity.

Top T20 leagues like:

Indian Premier League (IPL)
Big Bash League (BBL)
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
SA20 & ILT20

These leagues are home to world-class players and huge fan bases. But one league stands out.

IPL: Home of the Biggest Cricket Franchises

The Indian Premier League, launched in 2008, changed the game forever.

Today, IPL teams dominate the charts in terms of revenue, fan following, and brand value. This league alone contributes to the biggest cricket franchises worldwide. Among all, one team towers above the rest.

Mumbai Indians: The Biggest Cricket Franchise in the World

Yes, the answer is Mumbai Indians (MI).

With a brand value of over $87 million (as per 2024 reports), this IPL giant is currently the biggest cricket franchise in the world.

Why Mumbai Indians Lead the Pack

Let’s look at the reasons behind MI’s massive success:

Owned by Reliance Industries, one of India’s most powerful companies.
Five IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020).
Managed by cricket legends like Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, and Mahela Jayawardene.
Over 35 million followers across platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter).
Known for developing talent — Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav all rose from here.

Brand Value and Financial Power

Mumbai Indians top not just in cricketing terms but also in business.

Valuation: $87 million (2024)
Revenue Streams: Sponsorships, ticket sales, merchandise, licensing
Top Sponsors: Slice, DHL, Jio, Marriott Bonvoy

They’ve consistently remained in the top 2 spots for brand value over the last 5 years.

Global Fan Engagement

Social media has a huge role in building loyalty. Mumbai Indians dominate in:

YouTube Views: 300M+
Instagram Followers: 13M+
Facebook Likes: 14M+
Twitter (X) Followers: 8M+

That kind of engagement puts them in line with global sports teams outside cricket.

Player Power

Star players boost a team’s reach. Mumbai has consistently attracted top talent:

Rohit Sharma
Kieron Pollard
Jasprit Bumrah
Lasith Malinga
Trent Boult
Suryakumar Yadav

Having these names helps maintain a massive fan base, both local and international.

Other Franchises Close to the Top

While Mumbai leads, a few teams are right behind:

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

5-time IPL champions
Brand value: $85 million
Led by MS Dhoni, one of the most loved cricketers ever
Strong fan base, especially in South India

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

Owned by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan
Popular in India and globally
Brand-driven with strong marketing

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Haven’t won a title but huge fan base
Virat Kohli is their brand engine
High social media engagement

Outside India: Who Are the Other Contenders?

IPL teams rule the chart, but internationally, a few teams stand out:

Sydney Sixers (BBL)

Consistent performers in the Big Bash League
Popular in Australia, decent global reach

Lahore Qalandars (PSL)

Huge social media following
Aggressive branding, top-notch fan involvement

But none come close to the reach and commercial strength of the IPL franchises.

Key Stats Comparison

Franchise	Titles	Brand Value (2024)	Social Media Followers
Mumbai Indians	5	$87M	35M+
Chennai Super Kings	5	$85M	30M+
Kolkata Knight Riders	2	$78M	25M+
Royal Challengers Bangalore	0	$76M	40M+
Sydney Sixers	3	$28M	5M+

Trends That Matter

IPL teams are investing in global leagues – MI now owns teams in SA20 and ILT20.
Social media will play a bigger role in fan engagement and sponsorships.
Merchandise sales are growing rapidly, especially in India and UAE.
Franchise expansion is key – multi-country ownership is the next step.

Why Does This Matter to Fans?

For many fans, supporting a franchise is more than just watching cricket. It’s emotional. People wear the jerseys, travel for games, and connect online.

Knowing which is the biggest cricket franchise in the world gives fans a sense of pride and belonging.

What Makes a Franchise Grow So Big?

Consistent performance
Strong brand identity
Good management
Player development
Fan-first approach
Marketing and media strategy

Mumbai Indians check all these boxes.

The Final Word

So, if you’re still wondering which is the biggest cricket franchise in the world, the answer is clear: Mumbai Indians.

Backed by trophies, fans, money, and marketing muscle, they’ve created a formula for success others are trying to follow. Whether you love them or love to hate them, one thing’s certain — they’re leading the cricket franchise game globally.

FAQs

Who owns the biggest cricket franchise in the world?

Mumbai Indians are owned by Reliance Industries, one of India’s biggest corporations.

What makes Mumbai Indians the biggest franchise?

Their consistent IPL wins, brand value of over $87M, huge fan following, and strong financial backing make them the biggest.

Where do other top franchises stand?

Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore are also massive, but MI leads in most areas including value and reach.

Why is the IPL so successful?

The IPL combines entertainment, world-class cricket, and strong marketing, making it the most valuable T20 league in the world.

How is a cricket franchise valued?

Brand value includes revenue, social media reach, merchandise, player power, and audience loyalty.

Will any team overtake Mumbai Indians soon?

Possible, but unlikely in the short term. MI’s consistent growth and smart strategy give it an edge.