Punjab Kings Valued at ₹1,200 Crore

Punjab Kings are being valued at about ₹1,195 crore in 2026 even though the franchise has never won an Indian Premier League title. (livemint.com) Mint said the number reflects how the Indian Premier League pays teams through central media and sponsorship pools, not just through trophies or league position. The current media-rights cycle is worth ₹48,390 crore over five years. (livemint.com) According to that breakdown, half of the central media pot goes to the Board of Control for Cricket in India and half is split across the 10 franchises. Mint calculated that at roughly ₹484 crore per team per season. (livemint.com) That matters because Punjab Kings’ player salary cap for 2026 is described as roughly ₹130 crore to ₹140 crore, meaning the central payout alone can cover the squad cost several times over. Houlihan Lokey separately described IPL franchises as businesses with cash flows largely locked in before the season begins. (livemint.com 1) (livemint.com 2) Punjab Kings also bring in sponsorship money from brands listed by Mint, including CP PLUS, Kent Mineral RO, BKT, Jio, All Seasons, Nippon Paint, Hell Energy, Livguard and Freemans Tools. Mint said teams outside the top tier can still command ₹60 crore to ₹100 crore a year for major jersey inventory. (livemint.com) Matchday revenue is a smaller but still visible piece of the model. Mint said Punjab Kings’ home games in Mohali and Dharamsala can generate an estimated ₹40 crore to ₹80 crore a season from ticket sales, while the 2026 IPL schedule places the club’s home matches in New Chandigarh and Dharamshala, including three in Dharamshala in the second phase. (livemint.com) (iplt20.com) The franchise’s market position had already been moving up before this week’s explainer. In Houlihan Lokey’s 2025 IPL valuation study, cited by Mint in July 2025, Punjab Kings posted the league’s biggest year-on-year gain, up 39.6% to $141 million after a runner-up finish, aggressive auction moves and strong digital campaigns. (livemint.com) That same study valued the entire Indian Premier League business at $18.5 billion in 2025 and its standalone brand at $3.9 billion. Punjab Kings still ranked ninth among 10 teams, which shows how much room remains between franchise growth and the league’s richest clubs. (livemint.com) The result is a franchise that has not converted 18 seasons into a title but still holds a nine-figure dollar brand value and a roughly ₹1,200 crore rupee valuation. In the IPL, the business case can stay strong even when the trophy cabinet stays empty. (livemint.com 1) (livemint.com 2)