The Popularity Gap: Why IPL Trends More Than the Women’s Premier League

Cricket is a sport loved by millions, and the Indian Premier League (IPL) stands as one of the biggest sporting events globally. However, despite the successful launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023, it has yet to match the IPL’s level of popularity. Several factors contribute to this gap, including financial investment, viewership trends, marketing, and historical development.

Massive Financial Investment in IPL

The IPL, launched in 2008 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), started with strong financial backing. Over the years, it has attracted major sponsors, billion-dollar broadcasting deals, and lucrative franchise investments. The 2023 IPL media rights deal was sold for ₹48,390 crore ($6.2 billion), making it one of the richest sporting leagues in the world.

In contrast, the WPL began in 2023, with its first-ever franchise auction generating ₹4,669 crore ($572 million)—a strong start but significantly lower than the IPL. The broadcasting rights for the WPL were sold for ₹951 crore ($116 million) for five years, much less than the IPL’s figures. This financial difference impacts player salaries, production quality, and global marketing.

Higher Viewership and Fan Engagement for IPL

The IPL consistently records over 400 million viewers per season, making it one of the most-watched leagues worldwide. The 2023 IPL season alone recorded 505 million viewers on television and over 32 billion minutes of watch time on JioCinema in just the first few weeks.

The WPL, despite its promising start, had a peak concurrent viewership of 1.8 million on JioCinema and a total reach of 50.78 million TV viewers in its inaugural season. While these numbers are impressive for a debut tournament, they still lag behind the IPL’s reach.

Star Power and Player Recognition

The IPL has global cricketing superstars like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and international icons like Jos Buttler and David Warner. Over the years, these players have built massive fan bases, ensuring high engagement and loyalty.

Women’s cricket, while growing, does not yet have the same level of worldwide star power. However, players like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Ellyse Perry, and Alyssa Healy are gaining international recognition. Increased exposure and marketing efforts could help build bigger individual fan followings, similar to the men’s game.

Media Coverage and Marketing Disparity

The IPL enjoys extensive media coverage, with dedicated sports channels, social media trends, and daily analysis. Pre-match shows, post-match discussions, and viral moments contribute to its success. Additionally, IPL franchises spend crores on digital marketing campaigns, ensuring maximum visibility.

The WPL has received strong initial media support, but it still lacks the same aggressive marketing push. While digital engagement is growing, sustained investment in storytelling, behind-the-scenes content, and player branding will be crucial for its expansion.

Cultural and Historical Growth

The IPL had the advantage of being introduced when T20 cricket was at its peak, and it revolutionized the way cricket was played. It has had 16 seasons to build its legacy. In contrast, the WPL is just getting started. Women’s cricket has historically received less investment and attention, but with time and support, this can change.

Despite the popularity gap, the WPL has a bright future. Its debut season was a huge success, and with increased investment, sponsorships, and better marketing, it has the potential to grow significantly. Countries like Australia and England have shown that women’s cricket can be highly competitive and profitable, as seen with the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and The Hundred Women’s tournament.

BCCI’s Initiative

In October 2022, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that all centrally contracted men and women cricketers of Team India would receive equal match fees. BCCI secretary Jay Shah shared on Twitter that this decision aimed to promote gender equality in cricket.

I’m pleased to announce @BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing pay equity policy for our contracted @BCCIWomen cricketers. The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers will be same as we move into a new era of gender equality in 🇮🇳 Cricket. pic.twitter.com/xJLn1hCAtl

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) October 27, 2022

How Can WPL Bridge the Gap?

• Increase sponsorship deals to bring in more revenue.

• Improve broadcasting quality and make matches more accessible.

• Invest in grassroots programs to develop future stars.

• Promote players aggressively through social media and global campaigns.

• Expand team count and match schedules gradually to sustain audience interest.

With time, the WPL can establish itself as a premier tournament and attract audiences worldwide, just like the IPL.