One of the most highly anticipating sporty event in the world which also holds a history of rivalry amongst it is the cricket match between India and Pakistan. The intense rivalry between these two nations along with emotional connection fans have with the sport, creates a unique opportunity for brands to engage with massive audience. The high views of the match created because of its passionate fan base provides a golden opportunity for brands to get visibility amongst others, gain some hype and strengthen their market game.
The power of India Vs Pakistan matches
If you are of the opinion that the Coldplay event in India was the biggest event of 2025, then you are wrong, as another hit is yet to come. Seats for the #IndvsPak match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were sold out within minutes. Brands benefit from these matches to launch high-impact advertising campaigns. For instance, during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, brands are vying for limited time slots with ad rates from Rs. 50 lakhs for 10 secs. Many brands, like Coca-Cola and Mother Dairy, are launching new campaigns to capitalise on high viewership.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, is set to be a significant event for brands. The tournament features 15 matches over 19 days, with the India vs. Pakistan match being a highlight. The event provides a global platform for brands to showcase their products and services.
|Match Type | Ad Rate (₹ per 10 seconds)|
|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| Regular Matches | 25 lakh |
| India vs Pakistan | 50 lakh |
How brands strategies under the ambit of these matches
As this match itself holds a thrift in the market place alongside of the cricket ground, the effects of it can be seen on both the places. Weeks before the match, brands often start building anticipation through teaser campaigns and social media. Now, by releasing cryptic messages, countdowns and sneak peeks of upcoming promotions, these brands create a huge sensation amongst the fans. The methods used by the respective brands includes engaging with fans on social media platform using distinct hashtags such as #indvspak #pakistanvsind etc. and this interactive content helps to maintain a buzz around both the match as well as the brand. Examples of successful brand campaigns during India vs. Pakistan matches include Swiggy's engaging social media posts, Blinkit's humorous and creative content, and Dabur India's #SabkoChabaJaayenge campaign. These brands effectively leveraged the match to create memorable campaigns that resonated with their audience and drove engagement.
“Dahi shakkar for the boy’s”, Swiggy wrote on their post while utilizing their chance to gain some visibility at the eminent times of #Indvpak.
The match day
“When India and Pakistan face off, brands don’t just advertise- they electrify”
Now, consider the day of the match, which is the final day of the prayers of all its fans waiting for it rigorously. On the day of the match, the environment carries a sensation of buzz with it, which is created following the desperate desires of the fans following it along with brands that capitalise on real-time engagement opportunities. Provision of live commentary on sports networks and live updates on social media networks as well creates a sense of community. Apart from these, there are other strategies used by brand networks to gain recognition amongst the audience, which include hosting interactive contests and giveaways during the match, such as predictions of the match outcomes or top scorers from the match, which derive the brand's visibility.
Revenue model
#IndvsPak matches are not only sporting events but are also colossal revenue generators for brands. These matches have their audience in millions, which leads to the advantages for brands to gain popularity and to channelize their specific products. By doing so, brands can easily gain an advantage in the marketplace. These viewers in millions create a prime opportunity for brands in marketing.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and particularly the #Indvspak match is a golden opportunity for brands to connect with a vast audience, so passionate about the match. With their innovative ideas and strategic campaigns, brands are all set to make the most of high-stakes events.
Jiostar, the official broadcasting and streaming platform for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, announced the list of sponsors. The confirmed sponsors include Dream11, Pernod Ricard India, Beam Suntory, Kohler, Birla Opus, Vodafone Idea, ICICI Direct, McEnroe, and Eicher Motors, as per the company’s statement in its release. Indiran IVF and LIC Housing Finance will be the co-presenting sponsors on DD Sports.
The key aspects under the revenue model are as follows:
Sponsorships
The high profile matches like India Vs Pakistan attracts a lot of sponsors eager to associate their brands with the event. These sponsorship deals generally include logo placement on several heads, naming rights and advertising opportunities. To get sponsorship in such an eminent event is not that easy, brands are willing to pay any substantial amounts to secure such sponsorship, as this opens a door to extraordinary visibility and engagement with hell a lot of audience. On the other hand, sponsorship fees for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are substantial, and brands must also invest heavily in marketing, promotion, and activation activities. These costs can strain budgets, especially for smaller companies. Recent study shows an accumulated graph of the sponsors under the match which is as follows:
Coca-Cola will continue to be the official non-alcoholic beverage partner until 2031. They engage fans with campaigns like "Share a Coke with Your Cricket Hero" and have a presence across all ICC tournaments, including the Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup.
Royal Stag, an Indian whiskey brand, will renew its partnership with the ICC until 2027. They create fan zones and interactive contests during matches, focusing on cricket-loving regions like South Asia to strengthen the cultural connection to the tournament.
FanCraze and Near are bringing innovation through digital collectibles and blockchain technology. FanCraze's Crictos Super Team game allows fans to create virtual squads, while Near's apps enhance ticket booking and live updates.
Merchandising
The phenomenon of purchase of any merchandise which includes goods, commodities and wares is known as merchandising. Official merchandising is very much common at the time of cricket matches of #IndVpak, including jerseys, caps, ties and other things which hold a significant demand at the time of these matches. Fans are eager to purchase these merchandises in order to support their favorites.
Conclusion
The India vs. Pakistan cricket match transcends being merely a sporting event; it serves as a potent platform for brands to engage with a vast and fervent audience. The intense rivalry and deep emotional connection fans have with the match offer brands a unique chance to boost their visibility, create excitement, and foster engagement.
Brands can harness broadcasting rights, ticket sales, sponsorships, merchandise sales, and advertising revenue to take advantage of the high viewership and enthusiasm surrounding the match. Utilizing social media, interactive contests, and exclusive promotions can further extend the brand's reach and influence.
Ultimately, the India vs. Pakistan cricket match represents a highly profitable revenue model for brands, allowing them to craft memorable campaigns that resonate with the audience and leave a lasting impact. By tapping into the emotions and excitement of the event, brands can achieve significant financial success and strengthen their connection with fans.
