The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially parted ways with Dream11, bringing an end to the fantasy sports platform’s role as the Indian cricket team’s title sponsor. The development comes in the wake of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which was passed in both houses of Parliament last week, tightening rules for online gaming and fantasy sports operators. With just two weeks to go before the Asia Cup in the UAE, Team India finds itself without a title sponsor on its jersey, leaving BCCI on the lookout for a new partner ahead of one of the most crucial tournaments in the cricketing calendar.
Following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, the BCCI has ended its association with Dream11, stating that it will avoid partnerships with such platforms in the future. According to reports, Dream11 representatives recently met BCCI CEO Hemang Amin at the board’s Mumbai office and conveyed their decision to step down as the Indian cricket team’s sponsor. As a result, Team India will not have Dream11 branding during the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE. The BCCI is now preparing to issue a fresh tender to find a new sponsor.
A BCCI official clarified that Dream11’s decision to withdraw will not attract penalties, as the sponsorship contract includes a clause protecting the company in case of legal changes by the Indian government. Dream11, founded 18 years ago and currently valued at $8 billion, had taken over as Team India’s lead sponsor in July 2023, replacing Byju’s with a three-year deal worth ₹358 crore. The fantasy sports giant has also been deeply involved in the IPL, signing top cricketers like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah as brand ambassadors. In 2020, Dream11 even stepped in as the IPL’s title sponsor, replacing Chinese smartphone brand Vivo.
Dream11’s reach goes well beyond Indian cricket, with a significant presence in international leagues. The company serves as the official fantasy partner of the Caribbean Premier League and holds the title sponsorship for New Zealand’s Super Smash. It has also expanded into Australian domestic cricket, with partnerships in both the Big Bash League and the Women’s Big Bash League, while its global footprint was strengthened by a tie-up with the International Cricket Council in 2018. Beyond cricket, Dream11 is actively involved in other sports, acting as the official fantasy partner of the Indian Super League, and collaborating with the Pro Kabaddi League and the International Hockey Federation.