BCCI Forecasts ₹6700 Crore Surplus for 2025-26

BCCI Forecasts ₹6700 Crore Surplus for 2025-26

Why in News?

TOI reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to achieve a historic surplus of ₹6,700 crore in FY2025–26, reflecting the growing commercial strength of Indian cricket.

TOI Report Highlights of BCCI’s Financial Data 

• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to achieve a record surplus of ₹6,700 crore for the financial year 2025–26. 
• The projected surplus is more than ten times the ₹666 crore surplus recorded in 2017–18, before the landmark IPL media rights deal of 2018. 
• Hosting the Asia Cup 2025 added over ₹100 crore to BCCI’s revenue. This income included hosting fees, media rights, and participation fees from the ICC T20 World Cup. 
• International tours and tournaments continue to remain a key contributor to BCCI’s financial strength, adding ₹109.04 crore to the expected surplus in 2025–26.
• The media rights income has also shown strong growth, increasing by ₹138.64 crore due to a higher number of international home matches and rising per-match fees. 
• The IPL valuation has declined by ₹16,000 crore in the last two years after the Jio-Star media merger, it still contributes nearly ₹5,000 crore to the board’s total surplus.
• According to the report, Men’s domestic cricket will receive ₹344 crore, including ₹111 crore for the Ranji Trophy 
• Women’s domestic cricket is allocated ₹96 crore. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) alone has generated a surplus of over ₹350 crore, highlighting the growing commercial potential of women’s cricket.
• BCCI has increased expenditure on India A and junior cricket programs to ₹42 crore, compared to ₹12.9 crore last year. These programs had faced a decline after 2021.
• The board has reduced the Gross Revenue Share (GRS) to ₹171 crore from ₹412 crore in the previous year. Part of this fund is allocated to incentivize players who participate in all scheduled Test matches, with ₹45 crore earmarked for 2025–26.

Board of Control for Cricket in India: Structure, Origin, and Role

• About: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the national governing body for cricket in India. It was established in December 1928 as a society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. The main office of the board is in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It represents India in the International Cricket Council (ICC) and plays a key role in shaping global cricket policies.

• Origin: BCCI replaced the British-run Imperial Cricket Conference’s Indian committee and took charge of organizing domestic and international matches. The first recognized domestic tournament under its administration was the Ranji Trophy, introduced in 1934. After India gained independence in 1947, BCCI grew into the most powerful cricket boards in the world.

• Structure: BCCI functions through a General Body, which is the highest decision-making authority. The body includes representatives from all state cricket associations. 

• The President, Vice President, Secretary, Joint Secretary, and Treasurer are elected for a fixed term.

• The board operates through several committees such as the Finance Committee, Selection Committee, and Tours and Fixtures Committee. 

• Since 2019, BCCI has implemented reforms recommended by the Lodha Committee, which improved transparency and governance.

• Tournaments: BCCI organizes several domestic and international cricket events.

• • The most popular among them is the Indian Premier League (IPL), launched in 2008. 
  • Other domestic tournaments include the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Duleep Trophy. 
  • BCCI organise the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which was launched in March 2023. 
  • BCCI also organizes domestic tournaments like the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy and Women’s T20 Challenge.
  • On the international front, BCCI hosts bilateral series, Asia Cup, and global ICC events held in India.

BCCI’s Strategies and Policies Behind Its Financial Success

• The BCCI has built a strong financial structure over the years through disciplined budgeting and transparent governance. The Finance Committee, formed in 2019, monitors expenses and ensures that every major event produces measurable returns.
• The board successfully renegotiated its media deals after 2022 with Star Sports and Viacom18, which increased per-match value significantly. By adopting digital streaming platforms such as JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, the BCCI reached a wider audience. This strategy has diversified income sources.
• The board has diversified its portfolio by increasing the number of bilateral international series, domestic tournaments, and women’s cricket leagues. Events like the Asia Cup, World Test Championship, and T20 World Cup participation have strengthened the board’s earnings from global cricket bodies.
• The launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in March 2023 became one of the most successful new sporting events in India. Franchise ownership, sponsorships, and television rights of the WPL created a fresh revenue stream for the BCCI.
• BCCI invests heavily in domestic cricket because it forms the foundation of Indian cricket. It funds the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to provide opportunities for emerging players. 
• The board has financed stadium upgrades in cities like Lucknow, Guwahati, and Ahmedabad, ensuring world-class facilities for players and fans. Since 2021, the board has also supported state associations with grants to modernize grounds and install floodlights.
• The BCCI has strengthened its developmental programs for young players. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, under VVS Laxman’s leadership since 2022, runs skill enhancement camps, medical assessments, and fitness programs.
• The board has adopted digital ticketing systems, mobile apps, and AI-driven analytics to improve fan experience and management efficiency. Social media campaigns and real-time match updates have expanded audience engagement.

Government Initiatives to Promote Indian Cricket

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) is the main government body that designs and implements programs for sports development. The ministry works with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to improve coaching quality and ensure that cricket academies follow modern standards of training and fitness.

• The Khelo India Program, launched in 2018, is one of the major initiatives promoting sports culture in India. Many state cricket associations have received support to build turf pitches and floodlights under this initiative.
• The government provides tax benefits and exemptions to sports organizations. The Income Tax Act, 1961, includes provisions that allow cricket associations to claim exemptions as charitable institutions when they reinvest in sports promotion. 
• The Fit India Movement, launched in 2019, encourages schools to organize sports events and include cricket activities in their programs. These initiatives help identify young talent early.
• The Uttar Pradesh Government developed the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, which now hosts international matches. The Gujarat Government constructed the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, inaugurated in 2020, which is currently the world’s largest cricket stadium.
• The Indian government honors top cricket players through national awards such as the Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna), and Padma Awards. 
• The government plans to expand the Khelo India Centers to every district by 2027, which will further improve cricket training at the local level. It also aims to digitize athlete performance data and link cricket academies with the National Sports Repository System (NSRS).