Asia Cup 2025: BCCI Faces Sponsorship Void as Dream 11 Pulls Out
The Asia Cup 2025 could see India taking the field without a lead team sponsor after Dream 11 pulled out of its contract with the BCCI. The sudden withdrawal has forced the Indian board to begin a fresh search for sponsorship just days before the tournament.
Dream 11 Exit Leaves Sponsorship Gap
India’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign faces uncertainty on the commercial front after Dream 11 terminated its deal. The online gaming platform ended its USD 44 million agreement following the Indian government’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which prohibits real-money gaming. The contract, valid until 2026, included an exit clause that allowed Dream 11 to withdraw under such regulatory changes.
𝑹𝑬𝑷𝑶𝑹𝑻𝑺 🚨
— wicketbuzz (@wicketbuzz) August 29, 2025
India might play Asia Cup 2025 without a jersey sponsor as Dream11’s deal with BCCI ends.
📸 Getty #TeamIndia #AsiaCup2025 #BCCI #Dream11 #CricketNews #JerseySponsor #IndianCricket #CricketUpdates pic.twitter.com/FVsXSxcbf8
BCCI Opens Bidding Process for New Team Sponsor
In response, the BCCI released an invitation for expressions of interest for new sponsorship rights on September 2. Interested parties must purchase the bid documents by September 12, while the final deadline for submission is September 16. However, since the Asia Cup 2025 starts on September 9, India may begin the tournament without a team sponsor.
Previous Sponsorship Challenges for India Cricket
This is not the first time the Indian team has faced such an issue. In 2019, mobile giant OPPO exited its deal early, with Byju’s stepping in before Dream 11 secured the rights in 2023. The BCCI has now clarified that brands linked to alcohol, betting, gambling, cryptocurrency, or other sensitive sectors cannot submit bids for sponsorship rights.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Schedule
Despite the sponsorship setback, India’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign will proceed as planned. The squad departs for the UAE on September 4 and will compete in Group A alongside Pakistan, Oman, and UAE. India faces UAE on September 10 in Dubai, Pakistan on September 14, and Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. The Super Four stage begins later in the month, with the final scheduled for September 28.
The absence of a team sponsor in Asia Cup 2025 underscores the challenges of aligning commercial deals with changing regulations. Nevertheless, the focus remains firmly on India’s on-field performance in a highly anticipated tournament.
