The IPL 2026 season has reached its final stage, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) set to battle for the championship. While RCB secured their place in the final by defeating Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, GT bounced back in Qualifier 2 with a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals after successfully chasing a target of 215 runs, powered by a 167-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan.
With both teams having won the IPL title once before, the winner of the final will secure a second championship. Alongside the trophy, the champions will also receive a substantial financial reward.
BCCI prize distribution for IPL teams
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has earmarked a total prize pool of more than ₹46.5 crore for IPL 2026.
The team lifting the IPL trophy will receive prize money of ₹20 crore in recognition of its performance throughout the tournament.
Runner-up guaranteed ₹13 crore
The losing finalist will also earn a significant reward. The runner-up team will receive ₹13 crore, ensuring a major financial return for reaching the title clash.
Prize money for playoff teams
Teams finishing third and fourth will also be rewarded for their playoff runs.
The team that loses Qualifier 2 and finishes third will receive ₹7 crore, while the fourth-placed side, eliminated in the Eliminator or playoff stage, will be awarded ₹6.5 crore.
IPL prize money comparison with previous seasons
The prize money awarded to IPL champions has witnessed a significant rise since the tournament's inception in 2008. While the winning team received ₹4.8 crore during the first two seasons, the reward has gradually increased over the years, reaching ₹20 crore in recent editions. The only exception came in 2020, when the prize purse was reduced amid the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
IPL prize money since 2008
| Season | Winner's Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 2008-2009 | ₹4.8 crore |
| 2010-2013 | ₹10 crore |
| 2014-2015 | ₹15 crore |
| 2016-2019 | ₹20 crore |
| 2020 | ₹10 crore |
| 2021-2026 | ₹20 crore |
No official prize for teams outside top four
Franchises finishing between fifth and tenth place will not receive any official prize money from the tournament.
However, teams continue to generate revenue through sponsorship agreements, ticket sales and broadcasting rights.
How prize money is distributed
As per IPL regulations, 50 per cent of a team's prize money is distributed among players, while the remaining 50 per cent goes to the franchise owners.
This ensures that both players and team management benefit directly from on-field success.
Individual awards also carry rewards
Apart from team prize money, players competing for individual honours such as the Orange Cap and Purple Cap are also eligible for separate cash rewards.
Winners of these and other special awards can receive additional prize money of up to approximately ₹1 crore.
