The IPL, Indian Premier League, is one of India’s most celebrated cricket tournaments. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) founded it in 2008. On the other hand, PSL, the Pakistan Super League, is also a T20 tournament by the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board). Even though they are almost the same, there are differences, so let’s take a look at IPL vs. PSL Prize Money 2025: Why India’s League Pays 5x More Than Pakistan’s.
In both tournaments, the teams contain local as well as international players. Where the IPL is one of the most successful tournaments around the globe, the PSL is still gaining popularity. IPL has a massive prize money pool and is one of the richest tournaments. The PSL comparatively has lower prize money as it is still growing and making its way.
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IPL vs PSL Prize Money 2025
As the IPL is known for being the richest cricket tournament, the prize pool here is massive. The BCCI makes sure that the team, as well as the players’ hard work, doesn’t go unnoticed. The winner of the 2025 tournament gets ₹20 crore cash and the trophy.
The runner-up gets a ₹13 crore prize. The teams in the third and fourth positions receive amounts of ₹7 crore and ₹6.5 crore, respectively. The players who perform well in the tournament also receive a cash prize. The MVP gets ₹12 lakh, the Emerging Player gets ₹20 lakh, the Orange Cap (most runs) gets ₹15 lakh, and the Purple Cap (most wickets) gets ₹15 lakh.
The Pakistan Super League 2025 prize money is around $500,000, which is around PKR ₹14 crore for the champion. The runner-up will receive around $200,000, which is around PKR ₹5.62 crore. The individual, for their performance like best batter or baller, gets up to PKR 35 lakh.
Why India’s League Pays 5x More Than Pakistan’s
The T20 cricket format has gained immense popularity in recent years, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) being two of the most renowned leagues across the globe. Here is a complete comparison as of 2025:
| Category | IPL 2025 | PSL 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 | 2016 |
| Number of Teams | 10 | 6 (expanding to 8 by 2026) |
| Matches per Season | 74 | 34 |
| Season Duration | Approximately 2 months | Approximately 1 month |
| Team Valuation (Top) | CSK ($122M), MI ($119M), RCB ($117M), KKR ($109M) | Lahore Qalandars ($35M), Karachi Kings ($28M) |
| Prize Money (Winner) | ₹20 crore (~$2.4 million) | $500,000 (~PKR 14.07 crore) |
| Prize Money (Runner-up) | ₹13 crore (~$1.56 million) | $200,000 (~PKR 5.62 crore) |
| Prize Money (3rd Place) | ₹7 crore (~$840,000) | Not awarded |
| Prize Money (4th Place) | ₹6.5 crore (~$780,000) | Not awarded |
| League Brand Value (2024) | $12 billion | ~$300 million |
| Media Rights Value | $6.2 billion for 2023–2027 (approx. ₹115.4 crore per match) | $36 million for 2022–2023 (approx. ₹2.76 crore per match) |
| Top Player Salary | Rishabh Pant – ₹27 crore (Lucknow Super Giants) | David Warner – $300,000 (Karachi Kings) |
| Team Salary Cap | ₹120 crore (~$14.4M) | ~$1.2 million per team |
| Player Salary Structure | No salary cap; open auction system | Draft system with salary caps; Platinum category earns $220,000–$300,000 |
| Viewership (2024) | 620 million digital viewers on JioCinema | 150 million digital views |
| Most Successful Team | Mumbai Indians (5 titles) | Islamabad United (3 titles) |
| Global Ranking Among T20 Leagues | #1 T20 league worldwide in terms of brand, viewership, and financials | Among top 3–4 globally; #2 in Asia |
The Indian Premier League (IPL) in India has a huge population, a comprehensive culture of cricket, and massive financial support, making it the biggest T20 cricket league in the world. The IPL brings in the best international talent with high team values, substantial media deals, and high salaries for the best players. Its matches attract huge TV and online audiences and its grounds are often full of passionate backers. The international appeal of the IPL is what makes it a true Goliath in the cricketing sphere.
In contrast, PSL may not be Andre the Giant, but it does play a significant role in the grand scheme of things. There is a following for it in Pakistan, and also among overseas Pakistanis, such that it is known for quality fast bowlers and promoting young players. It doesn’t have the financial clout or spread of the IPL, but the PSL is in an upward trajectory and is turning out to be attractive, competitive cricket. Both leagues have been instrumental in the growth of the T20 format, with each bringing its own flavour.
