Is Big Bash bigger Than IPL
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Is Big Bash bigger Than IPL? Detailed Comparison & Stats In 2024

Cricket is a sport that is enjoyed and followed by millions of fans all over the world. In recent years, two major T20 leagues have emerged as the most popular and lucrative cricket tournaments – the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Big Bash League (BBL). But do you think Big Bash League is bigger than IPL?

Big Bash League is not bigger than IPL. It receives much lesser viewership than the mighty Indian Premier League. Besides, the winning amount and player’s salary on BBL is also quite lower than IPL, especially in the 2023 cricket season.

While both these popular cricket tournaments are similar in format, there are some key differences between the two.  And in this blog, we will explore whether Big Bash is bigger than the IPL and analyze the various factors that contribute to its popularity.

What Is IPL?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a T20 cricket league that was established in 2008 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It consists of eight teams representing different cities in India, and the league is held annually from March to May.

The IPL has been a huge success, both commercially and in terms of fan following. The league is known for its star-studded teams, big-money deals, high-quality competition, and greatest cricket moments.

Key Stats Of IPL

  • The IPL has a total of ten teams representing different cities in India.
  • The league has been held annually since 2008, with a total of 15 editions so far.
  • In 2022, the IPL was held in India and had a total of 74 matches.
  • The IPL has total prize money of INR 10 crore (USD 1.36 million).
  • The average salary of an IPL player is around INR 2.5 crore (USD 340,000).

Some of the greatest cricketers of modern times, such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, playing in the Indian Premier League.

What Is Big Bash?

The Big Bash League (BBL) is a T20 cricket league that was established in 2011 by Cricket Australia. It consists of eight teams representing different cities in Australia, and the league is held annually from December to February.

The BBL has gained a lot of popularity in recent years and is known for its exciting matches, big crowds, and family-friendly atmosphere. Some of the best Australian batsmen prefer to play for their home teams in this league.

Key Stats Of Big Bash

  • The Big Bash League has a total of eight teams representing different cities in Australia.
  • The league has been held annually since 2011, with a total of 12 editions so far.
  • In 2022, the BBL was held in Australia and had a total of 61 matches.
  • The BBL has a total prize money of AUD 1.5 million (USD 1.1 million).
  • The average salary of a BBL player is around AUD 87,000 (USD 67,000).

Big Bash games are often played at big cricket stadiums to attract more visitors. However, it still fails to match the popularity of the IPL.

Difference In Squads And Overseas Players’ Rule

One of the major differences between the IPL and the BBL is the composition of their squads. In the IPL, each team is allowed to have a maximum of four overseas players in their playing XI, while in the BBL, each team is allowed to have a maximum of six overseas players.

This means that the IPL teams can have a more diverse and experienced team while relying more on local talent. On the contrary, BBL regularly hires popular cricketers from overseas to increase their global presence.

Difference In Prize Money

Another major difference between the IPL and the BBL is the prize money. The IPL has much higher prize money than the BBL. In 2022, the IPL had total prize money of INR 10 crore (USD 1.36 million), while the BBL had total prize money of AUD 1.5 million (USD 1.1 million).

It is also the reason that the highest-paid cricket players, especially from India, Bangladesh, and West Indies, prefer to play at IPL than Big Bash. However, some good all-rounders play in both leagues these days.

Difference In Player’s Salary

The average salary of an IPL player is also much higher than that of a BBL player. The average salary of an IPL player is around INR 2.5 crore (USD 340,000), while the average salary of a BBL player is around AUD 87,000 (USD 67,000).

Some of the best T20 teams that take part in IPL, such as the Mumbai Indians or Chennai Kings, often offer lucrative salaries to famous overseas players. They offer unprecedented money to Indian cricketers as well.

Nine logos of IPL franchise teams.
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Difference In Popularity

Cricket is one of the most popular sports, with billions of fans worldwide. And both these leagues contribute to this immense popularity. However, the IPL is more popular than the BBL in terms of overall viewership and revenue generated.

The IPL is the most-watched cricket league in the world, with an estimated viewership of over 462 million last year. In comparison, the BBL had an estimated viewership of around 11.6 million in the same year.

The IPL also generates more revenue than the BBL, with the league valued at around USD 6.8 billion, while the BBL was valued at around USD 41 million.

Key Differences Between IPL And BBL

Some of the greatest batsmen of all time and iconic hard-hitters have participated in both these leagues and delivered unmatched performances. But still, IPL is way ahead of its Australian competitor, BBL.

FactorsIPLBBL
Number of teams108
Maximum overseas players46
Prize moneyINR 10 crore (USD 1.36 million)AUD 1.5 million (USD 1.1 million)
Average player salaryINR 2.5 crore (USD 340,000)AUD 87,000 (USD 67,000)
Total viewership462 million11.6 million
League valueUSD 6.8 billionUSD 41 million

Future Of IPL And BBL

Both the IPL and the BBL are expected to continue their growth in the coming years. The IPL already expanded the league to 10 teams in 2022. And that factor also increased the number of matches and revenue generated.

The BBL is also expected to continue its growth in Australia and attract more international players to the league. Some BBL teams are already appointing the best cricket coaches to be at the same level on the international stage.

Final Note

While both the IPL and the BBL are popular T20 leagues, the IPL is currently bigger in terms of viewership, revenue, and overall popularity. However, the BBL is also gaining popularity and is expected to continue its growth in the coming years.

Both leagues have their unique features and rules, which make them exciting for fans all over the world. So, that’s all for today, cricket fans! Don’t hesitate to drop your queries and start a conversation with us in the comment section.

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