T20 cricket continues to attract massive attention across fanbases worldwide. Many cricket leagues in limited-overs cricket deliver fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action most fans now love from the sport. The massive fan attention to T20 cricket attracts huge revenue streams from different quarters, guaranteeing its organizers limitless funding.
Funding for organizers naturally translates to a bigger wage pool and cash award for players and franchise in top T20 leagues. Let’s check out five top T20 tournaments with highest overall prize money and competitions with best pay packages for players.
5. T20 Blast – ₹ 1.8 crores
England’s T20 Blast continues the country’s tradition of fast-paced cricket. Fans from all over the world experience this premier cricket league once annually since its inception in 2003. Its inaugural tournament saw the Surrey Lions become champions, and the league’s fanbase has grown ever since.
Recent T20 Blast winners are sure of a prize money totalling over ₹ 1.8 crores. Players in the league also get guaranteed high pay packages for their stellar on-pitch performances.
4. Big Bash League (BBL) – ₹ 3.3 crores
Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) launched in 2011 and has become one of T20 cricket’s top franchise leagues in few seasons. Fans are treated to exciting cricket in this premier cricket competition every season, and their patronage attracts revenue to participating franchises.
Each season, BBL champions expect no lower than ₹ 3.3 crores for their title win. The Sydney Sixers currently ranks higher than other franchises for most BBL title wins in history.
3. Pakistan Super League (PSL) – ₹ 3.7 crores
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a direct response to India’s ban on Pakistani franchise players and began in 2019. Its first edition held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before moving to Pakistan the next season.
Cricketers from Pakistan and other countries provide an interesting spectacle for teeming fans worldwide. PSL cricket attracts massive revenue and is one of the sport’s most-lucrative T20 leagues.
Winners of a PSL title expect up to ₹ 3.7 crores in prize money. Increased viewership of the league and brand endorsements will likely increase total prize monies expected by top teams in this competition.
2. Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) – ₹ 6.2 crores
Bangladeshi Premier League (BPL) players bring the best of cricket action to diehard fans worldwide. The event kicked off its inaugural season in 2012 and continues to grow in popularity.
BPL franchises usually hold games in packed cricket grounds around Chattogram and Dhaka, putting more funds in organisers’ pockets. Other funds from viewership rights, sponsorships, and different revenue streams ensure more funds get to franchises and organizers. Every BPL champion expects to receive prize money totalling over ₹ 6 crores.
1. Indian Premier League (IPL) – ₹ 20 crores
Prize money from winning the IPL dwarfs other cash awards from all T20 leagues in this list combined. India’s premier cricket competition attracts such a mammoth prize award due to several factors. Every year, IPL champions get a bumper cash prize of ₹ 20 crores with other huge monetary rewards available to other teams and players.
Top 10 Cricket Tournaments with Highest Player Salaries
The IPL also tops this list by offering a better average pay package than all other cricket leagues. Currently, IPL cricketers can expect to receive up to ₹ 95 crores for their on-field performances. Players can receive this amount across an entire season with a decent base salary for squad members.
The United Arab Emirates hosts International League T20 (ILT20) tournaments every season. Cricketers from different leagues participate in this encounter to spice up this competition for a bumper pay package.
Australia’s Big Bash League comes third in the overall rankings of high player wage averages per season. Currently, franchises in the BBL get an average ₹ 93 lakh salary each season. Let’s see other cricket leagues in the top 10 with high average player salaries:
1. Indian Premier League (IPL) – ₹ 390 lakh average salary per season
2. International League T20 (ILT) – ₹ 115 lakh average salary per season
3. Big Bash League (BBL) – ₹ 93 lakh average salary per season
4. South Africa 20 League (SA20) – ₹ 80 lakh average salary per season
5. The Hundred (Men Category) – ₹ 68 lakh average salary per season
6. Major League Cricket (MLC) – ₹ 59 lakh average salary per season
7. Pakistan Super League (PSL) – ₹ 39 lakh average salary per season
8. Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) – ₹ 39 lakh average salary per season
9. Global T20 League (GT20) – ₹ 22 lakh average salary per season
10. Caribbean Premier League (CPL) – ₹ 21 lakh average salary per season
