IPL: BCCI invites bids for partnership rights for the Women’s Premier League

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited bids, or the Request for Quotation (RFQ), for securing partnership rights for the Women’s Premier League (WPL)

The detailed terms and conditions governing this tender process, including eligibility criteria, bid submission procedures, rights, obligations, etc., are outlined in the RFQ document, the BCCI said in a statement.

Interested parties can access this document upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Rs 1,00,000 (Indian Rupees One Lakh Only), along with any applicable Goods and Services Tax. The availability of the RFQ for purchase is open until January 19, 2024.


This is a significant step to foster involvement and investment in women's cricket.

Entities keen on participating in the bidding process are required to procure the RFQ. However, it is crucial to meet the eligibility criteria specified in the RFQ and comply with the terms and conditions therein to qualify for the bidding process. Mere acquisition of the RFQ does not grant the right to bid. Notably, the RFQ documents will be provided only after the confirmation of payment of the non-refundable RFQ fee.

The BCCI reserves the right to alter or cancel the bidding process at any stage without offering specific reasons. Annexure B of the released notice lists specific brand categories in which interested parties are ineligible to bid, providing clear guidelines for prospective bidders.

The Women's Premier League (WPL) has made a resounding entry into the market, showcasing a remarkable valuation of $150 million during its inaugural season, according to a report by D&P Advisory. The report also highlighted Viacom18's media rights deal for the WPL at $23.4 million per season positionedg it as the second most valuable broadcast contract globally for women's sports leagues.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) continues its impressive trajectory, with Mumbai Indians identified as the most valuable IPL franchise. In 2022, the IPL ecosystem attained a valuation of $10.9 billion, largely attributed to the monumental $6 billion media rights agreement secured by the BCCI with Disney Star and Viacom 18.

Separately, the BCCI has set the base price for IPL title sponsorship rights at ₹350 crore per year for 74 matches or ₹1,750 crore for five years. However, a degree of confusion prevails among potential bidders due to the BCCI's decision to grant Tata Sons the right to match the highest bid for IPL title sponsorship rights, as reported by ET, citing sources familiar with the situation. This development has raised queries and uncertainties within the bidding landscape.