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All you need to know about WIPL media rights auctions

The BCCI may not necessarily grant the media rights of Women's IPL (WIPL) to the highest bidder, and the league is likely to grow after three seasons.

By Kshitij Ojha | Dec 15, 2022 | 2 Min Read

As per reports in Cricbuzz, the BCCI is considering expanding the WIPL starting from 2026 to include six teams competing in a 33-34 match competition. The first-ever WIPL will include five teams and 22 matches in its first season next year. The ITT will be available for purchase until December 31. According to BCCI, “just buying this ITT does not enable anyone to bid.” FanCode and Amazon Prime are likely to be in the mix together with Viacom18, Star Sport, and Sony Sports even though the details of the interesting parties are yet unknown.

According to Cricbuzz, the BCCI may not necessarily grant the media rights of Women’s IPL (WIPL) to the highest bidder, and the league is likely to grow after three seasons. The BCCI recently launched an Invitation To Tender (ITT) for interested parties to bid on media rights for the 2023-27 cycle. According to the article, the auction bidding process will almost surely be closed, with the BCCI favouring the bid that is most likely to benefit them.

WIPL is to start next year in March

The broadcasters are expected to bid on 132-133 matches on a per-match, per-season basis. There are three bundles available: A: Worldwide TV rights, B: Global digital rights, and C: Consolidated global TV and digital rights. The men’s IPL media rights for the 2023-27 cycle were recently acquired by Disney Star, Viacom18, and Times Internet for INR 48,390.50 crore. WIPL is scheduled to start right after the T20 WC in March.

“Any interested party wishing to submit a bid is required to purchase the ITT. However, only those satisfying the eligibility criteria set out in the ITT and subject to the other terms and conditions set out therein shall be eligible to bid. It is clarified that merely purchasing this ITT does not entitle any person to bid. The BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the bidding process at any stage in any manner at its discretion”, said a BCCI press release on December 9.