MUMBAI INDIANS (MI) has once again affirmed its position as one of India’s most valuable cricket franchises, entering the 2026 IPL season with 30+ brand associations and a sponsorship pool that has grown 20% year-on-year.
With 10 new partners and five new brand categories added this season, MI continues to set the benchmark for commercial excellence in Indian sports. The portfolio spans a diverse mix of categories, including aviation, AI, technology, oral care, beverages, mobility and lifestyle brands — reflecting MI’s wide consumer connect.
Malaysia Airlines headlines this season’s new roster — marking the airline’s first-ever sports partnership in India, and its entry through MI underlines the franchise’s appeal as a gateway for global brands. Mumbai is a key market for Malaysia Airlines, and MI’s authentic connection with its fans made it the natural choice.
A deeper engagement with Google, with stronger and more in-depth fan engagement and storytelling for Flex by Google Pay, Google Search AI and Gemini.
Colgate re-joins the MI family after a prior association, reinforcing confidence between the franchise and category-leading brands.
Other new entrants include Budweiser 0.0, Avon Cycles, and Oaksmith Packaged Drinking Water – the world’s biggest brands continue to view MI as their primary gateway to the Indian consumer.
MI’s commercial model is anchored in depth, not just breadth. Strong brands – Lauritz Knudsen, Astral Pipes, Jio, Skechers, Cadbury and Amul
Long-term partners — Usha, DHL, Astral Pipes, and BKT — have each been associated with the franchise for over five years, signalling sustained advertiser confidence.
A Mumbai Indians Spokesperson said, “Mumbai Indians isn’t just a cricket team — it’s a platform that brands choose to tell their biggest stories. Year after year, the most ambitious brands trust MI to connect them with millions of fans, authentically and at scale. The 2026 season again is proof that trust is only deepening.”
Lifestyle & Youth Icons: Partnerships with brands such as Skechers, Netflix, Pokémon, Plum and Big Ant Studios help keep the MI brand closely aligned with youth culture and entertainment.
Beyond the boundary
Lifestyle & Apparel: Partnership with New Era
Gaming & Collectibles: Partnering with Realcricket and Toytonics.
Direct-to-Fan Commerce: Plum and Colgate will launch co-created products exclusively on the MI Shop, while Avon Cycles will offer MI-inspired products
Alongside strong brand commercial partnerships, Mumbai Indians continue to expand their presence in culture and fan engagement through initiatives such as MI-X— MI’s cultural platform bringing together music, entertainment, and sport, creating immersive brand moments that outlast the season and the upcoming MI Café, envisioned as a year-round destination for fans — reflecting the franchise’s ambition to evolve into a multi-dimensional brand that lives beyond the cricket season.
