GMR Sports

What GMR Sports does

GMR Sports is the sports division of the diversified Indian conglomerate GMR Group, founded in 2008 and headquartered in New Delhi. The company owns, co-owns, or operates as marketing partner for more than ten sports franchises across cricket, kabaddi, kho kho, and rugby, spanning India (Delhi Capitals in IPL/WPL, UP Yoddhas in PKL, Telugu Yoddhas in Ultimate Kho Kho), UAE (Dubai Capitals in ILT20), South Africa (Pretoria Capitals in SA20), the United States (Seattle Orcas in MLC), and the United Kingdom (Hampshire Cricket, Southern Brave in The Hundred). The portfolio also includes the Utilita Bowl venue in Southampton — a 19,000-seat international cricket ground with an integrated 171-room Hilton hotel, Boundary Lakes Golf Course, and concert/event hosting capability — which will stage England internationals in 2026 and the first Ashes Test in 2027.

GMR Sports operates a multi-stream revenue model anchored in franchise economics: broadcasting rights shares from marquee leagues (IPL, ILT20, MLC, SA20), team-level sponsorships and merchandise sales, venue and hospitality income from the Utilita Bowl, and league-level commercial upside from the Rugby Premier League, which it co-owns alongside Dream Sports, RMZ Corp, and Manipal Group. Broadcast distribution is secured through Star Sports and JioStar for Indian properties. Sponsorships include Bisleri (hydration partner for RPL) and Titan Smart (timing partner for RPL). The company is also party to a strategic MoU with the Government of Telangana for sports infrastructure development and invested in Centre Court Capital's debut India sports/fitness/wellness fund (Rs 410 crore) in December 2025.

Corporate governance underwent transition with CEO Satyam Trivedi (ex-RPSG Sports, ex-Adani Sportsline) joining in August 2024 and resigning in April 2026; Ajith Gopinathan Nair is currently Interim CEO while a successor is sought. Delhi Capitals is co-owned with JSW Group, and the Seattle Orcas relationship is structured as a strategic partnership rather than full ownership. No public listing or independent external equity investors have been disclosed for GMR Sports as a standalone entity.

Name

GMR Sports

Legal name

GMR Sports

Website

https://gmrsports.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GMR Sports is the sports division of India's GMR Group, owning and operating more than ten franchises across cricket, kabaddi, kho kho, and rugby in India, UAE, South Africa, USA, and the UK, plus the Utilita Bowl venue in Southampton.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Franchise Management

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Cricket Leagues (MPAKAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB), Licensing, Merchandising & Co-Branded Products (Sponsored Merchandise, Collabs) (MPAKALAE)

Keywords

• Sports franchise ownership
• Cricket franchise management
• Multi-sport portfolio
• Sports venue operations
• League event management

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Franchise Ownership Revenue: Revenue generated from owning and operating sports franchises across multiple leagues and sports. This includes team operations, player management, and franchise value appreciation.
2. Broadcasting Rights: Revenue from broadcast and streaming partnerships for league coverage. Leagues like IPL, ILT20, and others generate significant broadcasting revenue shared among franchise owners.
3. Sponsorship and Merchandise: Revenue from team and league sponsorships, including jersey sponsors, principal partners, associate partners, and merchandise sales to fans.
4. Venue Operations and Events: Revenue from stadium operations at Utilita Bowl including ticket sales, hospitality, events, concerts, and sports tourism.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GMR Sports owns, operates, and manages a diversified portfolio of professional sports franchises across cricket, kabaddi, kho kho, and rugby in India, UAE, South Africa, USA, and UK. The company also organizes the Rugby Premier League as Marketing Partner and operates the Utilita Bowl, a 19,000-seat international cricket venue in Southampton, UK. Revenue is generated through franchise operations, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, merchandise sales, and venue-based ticket sales, hospitality, and events.

Product overview

GMR Sports operates a diversified multi-sport franchise portfolio spanning cricket, kabaddi, and kho kho across India and international markets. The company owns cricket franchises including Delhi Capitals (IPL/WPL), Dubai Capitals (ILT20), India Capitals (Legends League Cricket), Seattle Orcas (Major League Cricket USA), Hampshire Cricket and Southern Brave (UK). Domestically, it runs UP Yoddhas in Pro Kabaddi League and Telugu Yoddhas in Ultimate Kho Kho. The company also organizes the Rugby Premier League as Marketing Partner. Its portfolio includes the Utilita Bowl venue in Southampton, UK. Founded in 2008, GMR Sports leverages franchise ownership, league partnerships, and venue operations to build a global sports ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Delhi Capitals Cricket franchise co-owned by GMR Sports and JSW Group that participates in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL). The men's team is coached by Hemang Badani and the women's team by Jonathan Batty, captained by Jemimah Rodrigues. Delhi Capitals Women finished runners-up in the first four WPL seasons.
• Dubai Capitals Cricket franchise competing in the International League T20 (ILT20), a T20 league in the United Arab Emirates. League champions in Season 3, coached by Hemang Badani and captained by Dasun Shanaka. Features cricketing stalwarts including Rovman Powell and Mohammad Nabi.
• UP Yoddhas Kabaddi franchise in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), a professional men's Kabaddi league in India. Based in Uttar Pradesh and one of 12 participating teams in PKL. Operates the UPY D.M. Academy for talent development.
• Telugu Yoddhas Kho Kho franchise in the Ultimate Kho Kho League. Runners-up in the inaugural edition played at Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune. Led by Pratik Waikar, who led the Indian Men's team to the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup title in January 2025.
• India Capitals Cricket franchise in the Legends League Cricket T20 (LLC), a league featuring retired international cricketers. Emerged as the first champion of LLC in the inaugural 2022 season.
• Seattle Orcas Strategic partnership with Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise representing Greater Seattle Area and Pacific Northwest in USA's professional cricket league.
• Rugby Premier League (RPL) India's first franchise-based Rugby Sevens league featuring international and Indian rugby talent. Organising and Marketing Partner through GMR Sports subsidiary. Season 2 expands to include women's franchises alongside six men's teams.
• Hampshire Cricket One of England's most storied white-ball cricket sides based at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. Dominant force in Vitality Blast T20 with three championship titles, competing across County Championship, Metro Bank One Day Cup, and Vitality Blast T20 formats. Hampshire Women have won six domestic titles including a historic domestic double in 2023.
• Southern Brave Cricket franchise in The Hundred competition, based at the Utilita Bowl. Reached six finals and secured two championship titles (Men's 2021, Women's 2023).
• Utilita Bowl One of the UK's most modern purpose-built international cricket venues with a 19,000-seat stadium, 171-room Hilton hotel, Boundary Lakes Golf Course, and premium dining and wellness facilities. Located in Southampton, hosts major international fixtures including England vs India and England vs Sri Lanka in 2026, and the first-ever Ashes Test in 2027. Also stages large-scale concerts for up to 35,000 spectators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dubai Capitals won ILT20 Season 3 championship and reached finals in Season 4
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JSW GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSW Group co-owns the Delhi Capitals franchise with GMR Sports. Delhi Capitals competes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL).
• Rugby IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRugby India is the governing body for rugby in India and the strategic partner for the Rugby Premier League. GMR Sports serves as the Organizing and Marketing Partner through its subsidiary. Rugby India President Rahul Bose serves as League Commissioner.
• Government of TelanganacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGMR Sports has a strategic MoU with the Government of Telangana for sports infrastructure development. The Rugby Premier League Season 2 is being hosted at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad under this partnership.
• Star Sports and JioStarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStar Sports and JioStar provide broadcast partnerships for the Rugby Premier League, offering national distribution of league content in India.
• Bisleri InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBisleri International partnered as Official Hydration Partner for HSBC Rugby Premier League for a three-year period starting Season 2, supporting hydration requirements and engaging in digital campaigns and community initiatives.
• Titan SmartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTitan Smart, the smartwatch brand from Titan Company Limited, partnered as Official Timing Partner for Rugby Premier League, aligning precision technology with athletic performance.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• City Football Group: City Football Group owns Manchester City and a global portfolio of 13+ clubs across football. It is the benchmark multi-club sports ownership operator globally — relevant strategic peer for GMR Sports' multi-franchise, multi-country portfolio model.
• RedBird Capital Partners: RedBird Capital owns AC Milan, has a stake in Liverpool FC, and invests across global sports. As a sophisticated sports-focused PE platform, it represents both a potential capital peer and a strategic model for multi-asset sports investing.

Direct peers

• ITC Limited (Sports division): ITC is a major Indian conglomerate that has invested in sports sponsorships, cricket development, and franchise-related initiatives. Comparable as another diversified Indian corporate group active in the Indian sports sponsorship/franchise ecosystem.
• Emerging Media (Rajasthan Royals): Emerging Media, led by Manoj Badale, operates the Rajasthan Royals (IPL), MI New York, and Barbados Royals. A peer multi-franchise cricket operator competing for talent, broadcast reach, and sponsorship dollars in the same league set.
• Knight Riders Group (Red Chillies Entertainment): The Knight Riders Group owns Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL), Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), LA Knight Riders (MLC), and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20). It is a direct peer in global multi-team cricket franchise ownership, competing head-to-head in several leagues including MLC.
• Adani Sportsline: Adani Sportsline owns Gujarat Titans (IPL) and previously led sports divisions for the Adani Group. As another diversified Indian conglomerate-backed sports arm, it competes directly for franchise rights, talent, and sponsorship revenues.
• JSW Sports: JSW Sports co-owns Delhi Capitals with GMR Sports and operates Bengaluru FC (ISL). It is simultaneously a JV partner and a competing Indian conglomerate sports operator with adjacent football and cricket portfolios.
• RPSG Sports: RPSG Sports owns the Lucknow Super Giants (IPL) and previously owned ATK Mohun Bagan (ISL football). As another Indian conglomerate-owned multi-sport franchise operator, it is a direct competitor in the same franchise-ownership business model.
• Reliance Foundation (Mumbai Indians): Reliance Foundation operates Mumbai Indians (IPL), MI New York, MI Cape Town, and MI Emirates — a global multi-club T20 franchise strategy. Direct competitor to GMR Sports' Capitals brand family across cricket leagues globally.

Others

• Legends League Cricket (LMG / Unicorn Athletic): Legends League Cricket is the league operator of the T20 league where GMR Sports owns India Capitals. While GMR is a franchise owner within the league, LLC represents the league-side counterparty and a comparable league-property business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sports_gmr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rugbypremierleagueindia
• Facebookfacebook.com/rugbypremierleague
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gmr-league-games-pvt-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/rugbypremierleague
• TikToktiktok.com/@hantscricket

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GMR Sports