Cricket Asia Cup 2025 Advertising Opportunities

What’s happening on the field & off it

Dates & Format

The 2025 Men’s Asia Cup, officially the DP World Asia Cup, runs 9–28 September 2025 in the United Arab Emirates. It’s a Twenty20 format, with 8 teams: the five full ACC members (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan) plus UAE, Oman and Hong Kong who qualified via the Premier Cup.

There are 19 matches in total (league, Super Four, final).

Host & Importance

UAE is hosting as a neutral venue, with matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The tournament’s format and timing have been designed to feed into the wider Asia cricket calendar, building momentum ahead of other major events.

The buzz & audience insights

Fan base & viewership potential

The tournament reaches not only UAE-based fans but large expatriate South-Asian communities (Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Afghans) across the GCC.

Digital and OTT viewership is rising sharply in the region, complementing linear TV.

Ad rate trends

• During big fixtures like India vs Pakistan, ad rates have surged. TV 10-second spots are priced ~ $16,800–$19,200 USD for those matches.
• Sponsorship packages (co-presenting, associate) are expensive/luxury inventory. 
• 30% of digital ad inventory is reserved for India matches, reflecting localized demand and premium weighting.

Other market dynamics

• A recent ban on Real Money Gaming (RMG) ads in India means a gap in ad volumes – some estimate a 10-15% drop relative to prior editions. (Source: Exchange4Media)
• Categories like FMCG, auto, fintech, e-commerce are stepping in to fill that gap. (Source: Exchange4Media)

What advertising and sports partnerships are possible

If your brand is mid-level and looking to make an impact at the Asia Cup 2025, there are several strong routes into sports advertising and sports partnerships:

Title Sponsorship and Global Sponsorship

Top-tier positions are already taken by giants such as DP World as title sponsor and Spinny as a global partner. These packages guarantee maximum visibility across tournament branding, the trophy, LED perimeter boards, pitch mats and opening ceremonies. The association goes beyond exposure – it places the brand shoulder-to-shoulder with the prestige of Asian cricket itself.

Kit and Team Sponsorships

Another effective route is to back a team directly. STARTRADER has stepped in as the official jersey sponsor of the UAE national team, while grooming brand Denver is an official team partner. With kits on show every ball of every match, this kind of sponsorship delivers repeated impressions and builds trust among fans who associate the team with the brand.

On-screen and Broadcast Advertising

Traditional TV slots remain incredibly powerful, especially around fixtures such as India vs Pakistan. Here, 10-second ads are valued at $16,800–$19,200 USD. Brands can also use branded segments, on-screen graphics, lower-thirds and teasers. Digital streaming and OTT platforms further extend reach to younger, mobile-first fans who are increasingly shifting online.

Programmatic and Digital Advertising

For more flexible targeting, programmatic campaigns offer pre-rolls, mid-rolls, overlays and banners across OTT platforms, websites and apps. Brands can geo-target by city or country, ensuring efficiency and measurable ROI. This route is particularly attractive for mid-sized companies who want exposure but need to control spend.

In-venue and Experiential Activations

Inside stadiums, LED hoardings, pitch-side branding, fan zones and on-ground sampling create a direct line to supporters. These activations give fans something memorable, encourage social media sharing and make the brand feel part of the event experience rather than just a background advertiser.

Match-by-match Premium Packages

Finally, brands can buy into specific high-profile fixtures. Matches such as India vs Pakistan, the Super Four clashes or the final command the highest audiences. Ad slots here are sold at a premium, but the payoff is unmatched reach, engagement and coverage in both media and fan conversations. For a mid-level brand, focusing budget on a handful of these high-intensity games can deliver excellent returns.

Stats & scale to help your decision

• 19 total matches in Asia Cup 2025.
• 8 participating nations.
• For marquee fixtures like India vs Pakistan, a 10-second TV slot is priced between $16,800 to $19,200 USD. These are premium slots due to massive viewership and fan engagement, making them some of the most expensive but rewarding buys of the tournament. (Source: cricexec.com)
• Sponsors: Among official sponsors & partners are DP World (title), Spinny (global), BEYOND Developments (global sponsor), STARTRADER (jersey sponsor of UAE) and brands like Denver.

How brands can maximise involvement & ROI

• Early bookings: Premium inventory (high profile fixture slots) gets snapped up early. Late bookings may force less effective placements.
• Tailored creative & messaging: Cultural resonance with South Asian expatriates in UAE and wider GCC/MENA is key. Use storytelling, local relevance.
• Combining digital + broadcast: Cross-platform campaigns (TV + OTT + social) reinforce reach & recall.
• Activation & UGC: Use fan experiences, social engagement to amplify the sponsorship beyond just visibility.
• Data & measurement: Track impressions, engagement metrics; use programmatic ads for optimisation.
• Flexible / bundled deals: Given some categories have reduced spend (e.g. RMG often banned), bundling inventory or negotiating value-adds can stretch budgets.

Linking to World Sports Advertising offerings

If you’re a mid-level brand considering sports partnerships, World Sports Advertising can help you:

• Find and broker kit & team sponsorship deals across Football, UFC, Formula 1 etc, and now cricket.
• Build creative on-screen advertising campaigns and connect you with broadcast partners.
• Help integrate programmatic and digital placements.
• Facilitate activation ideas (events, fan zones) linked to major tournaments.

Check out our pages on sports, ambassadors, partnerships & activations.

Contact us today to talk about your campaign.

Final thoughts

Asia Cup 2025 offers a powerful platform for mid-level brands: high-visibility tournaments, multiple advertising formats, combination of live audience + digital reach, and the emotional resonance of cricket in Asia and among expatriate communities. With smart planning, selective match fixtures, and creative messaging, brands can punch well above their weight in exposure and impact.

FAQs

1. What advertising opportunities are available at Asia Cup 2025 for mid-level brands?
2. Mid-level brands can engage via team/kit sponsorships, broadcast advertising (TV & OTT), programmatic/digital ads, in-venue branding, and match-specific premium placements.
3. How expensive are ad slots for marquee matches like India vs Pakistan?
4. For India vs Pakistan, 10-second TV ad slots are priced around US$15-18,000 and digital ad rates are proportionately higher, reflecting the huge viewership.
5. Which sponsors have already signed up for Asia Cup 2025?
6. Key confirmed brands include DP World (title sponsor), Spinny (global sponsor), BEYOND Developments (global sponsor), STARTRADER (jersey sponsor of UAE), Denver (team partner).

What impact does the RMG advertising ban have on the Asia Cup ad market?

The ban in India on Real Money Gaming ads is expected to reduce ad inventory by 10-15%, especially in categories that were previously heavy purchasers. This opens space for other sectors to step in.