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Punjab Kings, despite never winning the IPL since 2008, are valued at ₹1,195 crore in 2026, thanks to consistent revenue from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and merchandise. The IPL's structure allows teams to profit regardless of performance, making them long-term assets for investors.
Zero IPL trophies: Preity Zinta’s Punjab Kings still value ₹1,200 crore in net worth; check where the money flows from(Primary image: PTI Photo/Shiva Sharma, edited for illustration purposes)Punjab Kings have played in every IPL season since the league started in 2008. They have never won the title, not once. Last year, they reached the final again, only to leave with heartbreak against the RCB.
Yet, the franchise is worth more than ₹1,195 crore as of 2025. That number grew by nearly 40% in a single year. How does a team that has never lifted the trophy keep getting more valuable? The answer lies in the IPL structure.
Win or Lose: Money Flows
Every IPL team receives a share of the BCCI's central broadcasting revenue. The current media rights cycle is worth ₹48,390 crore over five years. Half of that goes to the BCCI. The other half is divided equally among all ten franchises.
That works out to approximately ₹484 crore per team per season. This payout arrives regardless of where the team finishes in the table.
Punjab Kings receive this money even after finishing last. The player salary cap for 2026 is around ₹130 to ₹140 crore. That central payout alone covers the salary bill nearly four times over. The team is effectively profitable before a single ticket is sold.
Sponsors
This year, Punjab Kings carry 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 are not paying for a championship. They are paying for visibility. A team playing 14 home and away matches, broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers, delivers that visibility reliably.
The front of a top-tier IPL jersey can fetch massive amounts of money. According to Arthnova, top demands are for Mumbai ( ₹145-160 crore), Chennai ( ₹100-120 crore) and Bengaluru ( ₹100-120 crore). Other teams can easily fetch ₹60-100 crore annually. That figure changes little with league position.
The presence of co-owner Preity Zinta adds another commercial dimension. Her public profile and fan appeal help drive attention to the franchise beyond just cricket.
Matches Add More Money
Punjab Kings play home matches in Mohali and Dharamsala. Ticket sales bring in an estimated ₹40 to ₹80 crore per season, according to multiple media reports.
Merchandise adds further revenue. These streams are not dependent on winning either. Fans show up anyway.
Franchise Model
The IPL operates as a closed league. A poor season carries no structural financial penalty. Teams cannot be thrown out for finishing last. This gives franchise owners the confidence to invest long-term without fear of losing their place in the league.
The original IPL teams were bought for around $100 million in 2008. By 2026, comparable franchises are valued at over $1.6 billion. Investors treat these as long-term assets, not annual profit-and-loss exercises.
The Big Picture
Punjab Kings recorded a 49% increase in brand value in 2024 and a further 39.6% jump in 2025. In 2026, it is valued at ₹1,195 crore, according to WP League. No IPL title drove those numbers.
Consistent visibility, a large and loyal fanbase, strong commercial partnerships and a guaranteed share of one of sport's most valuable broadcasting deals did.
In the IPL, the business model wins even when the team does not.
About the Author
Sounak Mukhopadhyay
Sounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. <br><br> Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. <br><br> Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture and public conversation in contemporary India. <br><br> At LiveMint, he writes daily coverage as well as analytical pieces that interpret numbers, trends and cultural moments in accessible language. His approach prioritises factual depth, balanced framing and reader trust. The reporting aligns with modern newsroom standards of transparency and credibility. <br><br> Outside daily reporting, he explores storytelling across formats including podcasts, filmmaking and narrative non-fiction. Through his journalism, Sounak aims to document the rhythms of modern entertainment and sports while maintaining rigorous editorial integrity. <br><br> Sounak continues to develop audience-focused journalism that connects speed with substance in a rapidly-changing information environment. His work seeks clarity, trust and lasting public value in every story he reports.
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