The IPL 2025 final will be remembered for more than just Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s long-awaited triumph. It also delivered a historic moment for Indian broadcast history, becoming the most-watched cricket match on Indian television.
According to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data, the RCB vs Punjab Kings final on June 3rd attracted a staggering 169 million viewers — eclipsing the previous record of 166 million set during the India vs Pakistan match in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Key Broadcast Metrics from IPL 2025 Final:
- TV Viewership: 169 million
- TV Rating (TVR): 11 — the third-highest in IPL history, despite being played on a weekday (Tuesday)
- Total Watch-Time: 15 billion minutes — the highest-ever for a cricket match, surpassing the 14.2 billion-minute record from the India vs South Africa 2024 T20 World Cup final
The second-most viewed game of IPL 2025? The ever-popular CSK vs MI clash, which drew 163 million viewers.
A Season of Disruption and Domination
- IPL 2025 kicked off on March 22
- Tensions between India and Pakistan forced a one-week suspension starting May 9, notably disrupting the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals fixture
- The league resumed on May 17, culminating in a delayed finale on June 3
- Across the opening week alone, IPL 2025 attracted 253 million viewers and generated 27.7 billion watch-minutes
Despite geopolitical turbulence and scheduling reshuffles, the IPL’s gravitational pull remains unshaken — in fact, stronger than ever.
What This Means for Brands, Broadcasters & Rights Holders
The IPL 2025 final proved that cricket remains India’s most potent commercial media asset. But more than that, it shows the resilience of appointment viewing, even in an era dominated by on-demand and social-first consumption.
- For brands: There is unmatched ROI in associating with live, emotionally charged moments of national significance.
- For broadcasters: Optimizing for weekday finales may not hurt ratings as once assumed — a data point worth considering in future scheduling.
- For rightsholders & sponsors: The audience is no longer just watching—they’re engaging longer and deeper. This opens the door for new monetization formats, from micro-sponsorships to gamified advertising integrations.
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