CSK Craze Fades, Punjab Pips IPL First Benchers: IPL Teams With Most Financial Growth In 2025

Shreyas Iyer and Preity Zinta, MS Dhoni [Source: @Rajiv1841/x.com]

The 2025 IPL season has fundamentally transformed the league's commercial landscape, with on-field success directly translating into unprecedented growth in brand value. According to Houlihan Lokey's latest valuation study, franchise valuations have experienced dramatic shifts, with some teams achieving remarkable growth rates that reflect the evolving economics of modern cricket.

Top Five Growth Leaders

Punjab Kings emerged as the season's biggest commercial winner, posting an extraordinary 39.6% growth from $101 million to $141 million. Their unexpected journey to the finals as runners-up under a new captain, Shreyas Iyer's leadership, proved that strong tournament performance can instantly elevate a franchise's market position even if it doesn't change their overall ranking.

Lucknow Super Giants followed closely with 34.1% growth, jumping from $91 million to $122 million. As one of the newer franchises, LSG's consistent performance and strategic brand building have demonstrated that fresh entrants can rapidly establish significant commercial value in the competitive IPL ecosystem.

Mumbai Indians secured the third-highest growth at 18.6%, rising from $204 million to $242 million while climbing two positions to rank two overall. Despite early struggles, MI's signature late comeback and finding a way to the playoffs seems to have helped them maintain their premium market position.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru achieved 18.5% growth with the highest absolute dollar increase of $42 million, reaching $269 million. Their historic IPL title, after 18 years, perfectly coincided with their commercial ascension to the #1 franchise position. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad rounds out the top five with 16.7% growth, moving from $132 million to $154 million and climbing to one rank to #5. Despite their inconsistent performances, the brand of cricket that they have endorsed might have played a big role in their growth.

Market Transformation

The data reveals a fundamental shift in IPL economics where performance has trumped legacy. While Chennai Super Kings maintained their high absolute valuation at $235 million, they had the league-worst 1.7% growth.

The average franchise growth rate of 17.5% and the combined franchise brand value expansion of 15.1% (from $1.59 billion to $1.83 Billion) demonstrate the IPL's continued commercial strength. However, the volatility in rankings proves that sustained success requires both on-field excellence and strategic brand management in today's performance-driven valuation environment.

Complete IPL Franchise Growth Rankings (2024-2025)

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