Asia Cup 2025: BCCI invites bids seeking new lead sponsorship for Team India after Dream11 exit

The BCCI on Tuesday invited bids for the title sponsorship rights of the Indian Cricket Team after fantasy sports giant Dream11 pulled out in which companies dealing in real money gaming and cryptocurrency are prohibited as the government has banned such companies.

Dream11 has recently discontinued its real money games due to the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025'. The Act states that 'no person shall offer any, aid, abet, induce, indulge, engage in offering online money gaming services nor shall involve in any advertisement which directly or indirectly promotes any person to play any online money game'.

NEWS 🚨 - BCCI announces the release of the Invitation for Expression of Interest for National Team Lead Sponsor Rights

More details here 👇https://t.co/Qx6YZvYWrw pic.twitter.com/0e0vCoIdBT

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 2, 2025

Since the last day to bid is September 16, it is quite clear that Team India will be seen playing the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 without any lead sponsor.

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BCCI had a title sponsorship deal with Dream11 and My11 Circle

BCCI had a title sponsorship deal with Dream11 and My11 Circle for the Indian cricket team and the Indian Premier League worth around Rs 1000 crore.

A BCCI release said: "Bidder, including any of its Group companies: (i) should not be engaged in online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services in India or anywhere in the world; (ii) should not provide any online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services to any Person in India; and (iii) should not have any investment or ownership interest in any Person engaged in betting or gambling services in India," 

Criteria to apply for the sponsorship

As per a release issued by the BCCI, the IEOI can be purchased after a payment of a non-refundable fee of Rs 5 lakh plus any applicable GST. The Indian cricket board has also made it clear regarding the type of companies applying, which means BCCI has banned any cryptocurrency companies, online gaming platforms, alcohol companies, and tobacco companies from applying for the lead sponsorship. The companies applying for the sponsorship must also have a turnover of more than Rs 300 crore.

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Notably, the last date to submit the Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI) is September 12, while the date of submission of the bid documents is September 16.