BKT Tyres Signs Eight IPL Teams for 2026 Season

Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has announced that its consumer-facing brand, BKT Tyres, will serve as the Official Tyre Partner for eight out of ten teams in the Indian Premier League 2026 season.

The addition of Royal Challengers Bengaluru has expanded BKT’s partnerships from seven to eight teams, marking a significant push in sports-driven brand visibility.

Eight IPL Teams Join BKT Tyres Partnership

Under the IPL 2026 partnerships, BKT Tyres will be associated with the following franchises:

• Kolkata Knight Riders
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru
• Sunrisers Hyderabad
• Rajasthan Royals
• Mumbai Indians
• Gujarat Titans
• Punjab Kings
• Lucknow Super Giants

The deal strengthens BKT’s presence in one of the most-watched sporting leagues, offering extensive reach across broadcast and digital platforms.

Strategic Push Into Consumer Tyre Segment

The partnerships come at a key time for BKT as it expands beyond its traditional focus on off-highway tyres used in agriculture, construction, and mining.

The company has recently entered the Indian consumer tyre segment, covering two-wheelers, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles. The IPL association is being leveraged to build awareness under its campaign tagline “Elevate Your Drive.”

Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director at BKT, said the collaboration would amplify a brand campaign featuring actor Ranveer Singh across multiple platforms. He highlighted cricket’s ability to connect with diverse audiences across India as a major factor behind the strategy.

Multi-Channel Engagement Strategy

The sponsorships are designed to maximise engagement through multiple touchpoints, including:

• Stadium branding and visibility
• Broadcast integrations
• Dealer-level activations
• Grassroots initiatives
• Digital fan engagement campaigns

BKT’s partnerships in India are managed by sports consulting firm RISE Worldwide, ensuring structured execution across all channels.

Strong Backing from IPL Franchises

Several franchise leaders welcomed the partnership expansion. Rajasthan Royals COO Alok Chitre noted the long-standing association with BKT, now entering its sixth year.

Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore described the collaboration as a partnership between performance-focused organisations, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru CEO Rajesh Menon highlighted alignment in brand philosophy.

Global Sports Portfolio Strengthens Brand Positioning

The IPL deals are part of BKT’s broader international sports sponsorship strategy. The company is also associated with global properties such as Monster Jam, LaLiga, Serie BKT football, EuroLeague Basketball, the Rugby World Cup, and the United Rugby Championship.

These partnerships are aimed at strengthening brand recognition across key global markets.