![Google Gemini joins IPL as sponsor. [Source - @geminiapp/x/AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768971454806_GoogleGeminijoinsIPLassponsorinâ¹270croredeal.jpg?type=hq)
Google Gemini joins IPL as sponsor. [Source - @geminiapp/x/AFP]
In a significant development, Google Gemini is set to join the IPL as an official sponsor from the 2026 season, marking a major new partnership for the tournament. This new association underlines the growing interest of AI companies in Indian cricket’s biggest stage.
The IPL continues to set new benchmarks, not just on the field but also in the business field. Every season brings fresh partnerships that underline the league’s unmatched scale, reach and influence in India and beyond.
With global brands lining up to be associated with the IPL, the tournament has evolved into more than a cricket competition. It is a cultural event, a marketing powerhouse and a platform where new-age industries look to connect with millions of fans.
The arrival of Google Gemini as an IPL sponsor adds another milestone to this journey. It reinforces the league’s status as the world’s biggest T20 competition and shows how emerging technologies now see cricket as a key avenue for growth.
Google Gemini joins IPL as sponsor in INR 270 crore deal
Google-owned AI platform Gemini has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with the BCCI, valued at an estimated INR 270 crore. The partnership is set to begin with the upcoming 2026 season of the IPL, starting in the later half of March.
This deal highlights how AI companies are increasingly stepping into Indian cricket. Gemini’s association with the IPL follows a similar path taken by ChatGPT, which became an official sponsor of the ongoing WPL 2026 under a separate two-year deal.
Gemini has already made its presence felt in cricket circles. The platform was seen during the ICC Women’s World Cup held in India recently, signalling Google’s intent to build a long-term connection with cricket audiences through marquee events.
AI firms step in as gaming money dries up in cricket
The growing presence of AI brands in cricket sponsorship comes at a crucial time. A ban on real-money gaming platforms last year forced major advertisers like Dream11 to pull back, creating a significant gap in cricket’s sponsorship ecosystem.
While AI platforms are beginning to fill that space, their spending remains modest in comparison. Even if AI firms spend around ₹300 crore on advertising and cricket sponsorships this year, it is still far lower than what gaming companies once contributed.
IPL remains the gold standard
Despite shifts in the sponsorship landscape, the IPL continues to attract premium partners. The Tata Group remains the title sponsor of the league, maintaining a strong and stable association with Indian cricket’s biggest stage.
Deals like the Gemini partnership show the IPL’s ability to adapt and evolve with changing environment of the market. New industries may replace old ones, but the league’s status remains constant and powerful.
As technology and sport move closer together, the IPL stands at the centre of that relationship. With AI firms now investing in cricket, the IPL once again proves why it is the most attractive sporting property in the world.
