9 hrs ago
CSK’s Worst IPL Finish Weighs on FY26 Promoter Profits
Chennai Super Kings had its worst IPL season in 2025, finishing last in the table.
The team won four of its 14 matches.
Because league position affects some shared IPL income, the team’s poor result hurt its promoter’s finances.
CSKCL’s total standalone revenue fell slightly in FY26.
Its profit also decreased because some income dropped and costs increased.
Sponsorship and other tournament income helped reduce the damage.
The team finished eighth in IPL 2026 and again missed the knockouts.
The company remains hopeful that the team and its overseas cricket businesses will improve.
Chennai Super Kings finished 10th in IPL 2025, its lowest position in the league’s history.
CSKCL’s standalone revenue declined to ₹636 crore from ₹644 crore, while reported profit fell from ₹181 crore.
The annual reports attribute the weaker performance partly to a decline in central rights income, though the two reports give sharply different figures.
Standalone operating revenue increased as sponsorship and tournament-related income offset much of the rights-income decline.
Consolidated revenue rose to ₹712 crore, but consolidated profit fell; the company said its international franchises remain unprofitable overall.
- Who
- Chennai Super Kings and its promoter, Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd (CSKCL), along with its international franchises.
- What
- CSKCL reported lower standalone and consolidated profitability after the team’s 10th-place IPL 2025 finish.
- Where
- The results relate to CSK’s IPL operations and CSKCL’s international franchises, including Joburg Super Kings and Texas Super Kings.
- When
- The financial results concern FY26; the team finished 10th in IPL 2025 and eighth in IPL 2026. One report was published on September 2, 2026.
- Why
- The company cited lower central rights income, higher operating and player-related costs, and lower interest income.
Financial Concerns
Company’s Positive Outlook
Effect of the IPL finish
Financial Concerns
CSK’s 10th-place finish in IPL 2025 reduced its central rights income and contributed to lower profitability.
Company’s Positive Outlook
CSKCL said it remains optimistic about a strong comeback after the team missed the knockouts.
International expansion
Financial Concerns
The international franchises are described as revenue-generating but not yet profitable, with losses continuing in the overseas businesses.
Company’s Positive Outlook
CSKCL expressed confidence in the long-term potential of Texas Super Kings because of the continued growth of Major League Cricket.
Revenue resilience
Financial Concerns
Total revenue and profit were pressured by lower rights or other income and rising operating costs.
Company’s Positive Outlook
Higher sponsorship and tournament-related income increased operating revenue and offset part of the decline in central rights income.
Key facts
- Standalone revenue
- ₹636 crore in FY26, compared with ₹644 crore in the previous year.
- Standalone profit
- Reported at ₹162 crore in one annual-report account and ₹161 crore in the other, versus ₹181 crore previously.
- IPL 2025 finish
- CSK finished 10th, its lowest position in the IPL and the first time it finished last.
- IPL 2025 record
- CSK won four of its 14 matches.
- Consolidated revenue
- ₹712 crore, up from ₹704 crore.
- Consolidated profit
- Reported as ₹114 crore in one account and ₹124 crore attributable to CSKCL owners in the other, compared with ₹148 crore and ₹151 crore respectively.
- Overseas franchises
- Joburg Super Kings narrowed its operating loss, while losses increased at Texas Super Kings.
Quotes
Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd
Promoter of the Chennai Super Kings IPL franchise
“The surplus funds, during the year under review, have been redeployed from Inter Corporate Deposits in the previous year to mutual funds, resulting in the reduction in interest income.”
financialexpress.com
“While your IPL Franchise Chennai Super Kings did not qualify for the Knockouts, we remain optimistic of a strong comeback and an improved performance in the upcoming season.”
financialexpress.com
