Punjab Kings have played every IPL season since the league started in 2008. They have never won the title, not even once. They made it to the final again last year but went out heartbroken against RCB.
Still, the franchise is worth more than that ₹1,195 crore by 2025. This number has grown by nearly 40% in a single year. How can a team that has never lifted a trophy become more and more valuable? The answer lies in the structure of the IPL.
Win or lose: cash flows
Each IPL team gets a share of BCCI’s central broadcast revenue. The current media rights cycle is worth it ₹48,390 crore in five years. Half of that goes to the BCCI. The other half is split equally between all ten franchises.
This works out to approx ₹484 million per team per season. That payout will come regardless of where the team finishes in the table.
Read also | PBKS vs RR Prediction: Who Will Win, Punjab or Rajasthan? We asked ChatGPT
Punjabi kings get this money even after they finish last. The player salary cap for 2026 is around ₹130 to ₹140 million. The central payment alone will cover almost four times the salary. A team is effectively profitable before a single ticket is sold.
sponsors
This year, Punjab Kings have brands CP PLUS (Title Sponsor), Kent Mineral RO, BKT, Jio, All Seasons and Nippon Paint. Other key partners include Hell Energy, Livguard. and Freemans Tools.
Sponsors do not pay for the championship. Pay for visibility. The team playing 14 home and away matches, which are broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers, reliably ensures this visibility.
Read also | PBKS vs RR Preview: Can Rajasthan end Punjab’s unbeaten run?
The front of a top-level IPL jersey can fetch huge amounts of money. According to Arthnová, the highest requirements for Mumbai ( ₹145–160 crores), Chennai ( ₹100-120 million) and Bengaluru ( ₹100-120 million). Other teams can easily retrieve ₹60-100 million per year. This number changes little with league placement.
The presence of co-owner Preity Zinta adds another commercial dimension. Her public profile and fan appeal help draw attention to the franchise beyond cricket.
Matches add more money
Punjab Kings play home matches in Mohali and Dharamsala. Ticket sales bring in an estimate ₹40 to ₹80 million per season, according to multiple media reports.
Merchandise brings additional income. These streams are not dependent on winning either. The fans will show up anyway.
Franchise model
The IPL operates as a closed league. A bad season carries no structural financial penalty. Teams cannot be eliminated for finishing in last place. This gives franchise owners the confidence to invest for the long term without fear of losing a place in the league.
Read also | Kolkata Knight Riders: Shah Rukh Khan’s KKR Brand Value Grows 196%
The original IPL teams were bought for around US$100 million in 2008. By 2026, comparable franchises are valued at more than $1.6 billion. Investors treat them as long-term assets, not annual gains and losses.
The big picture
Punjab Kings saw a 49% increase in brand value in 2024 and another 39.6% jump in 2025. In 2026, it is valued at ₹1,195 crore, according to WP League. No IPL title has led to these numbers.
Consistent visibility, a large and loyal fan base, strong commercial partnerships and a guaranteed share of one of the most valuable sports broadcast deals.
In the IPL, the business model wins even if the team doesn’t.
