Most Fan Following Team in IPL | Full Ranking List 2025

The Indian Premier League isn’t just a cricket tournament; it’s an emotion, a festival, and a massive global sports brand. Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has become the world’s most-watched T20 league, with millions of people watching every year. The on-field action attracts fans, but loyalty to individual teams is the tournament’s true pulse.

In 2026, fan base will become a crucial metric as it reflects global reach, brand value, and cultural influence. Some teams have decades of loyalty behind them, while others have built their fan base through new performances.

So, which IPL team will have the most fans in 2026? Let’s find out in the next blog.

Top 10 Most Followed IPL Teams (2026 Updated Rankings)

Here is the complete list of IPL teams ranked by followers on all major platforms:

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK): The Most Followed IPL Team in 2026

Chennai Super Kings are comfortably at No. 1 with 43.6 million fans.

Why CSK dominates:

• The MS Dhoni effect: arguably the most loved cricket captain in the world
• Five IPL titles + two Champions League titles.
• Most Loyal fan base in South India
• Consistency, simplicity, and strong team culture
• Emotional Storytelling with Yellow Army branding

CSK is not only the most followed IPL team; it is one of the most followed cricket teams around the world.

2. Mumbai Indians (MI)

The Mumbai Indians have traditionally been one of the biggest teams in the IPL, having won the title five times. Whether it’s Sachin Tendulkar, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, or others, their popularity spans generations. Mumbai Indians teams also exist in other T20 leagues around the world, and therefore, they have a strong international fan base.

3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB may not have won a title yet, but they have something no other team has – Virat Kohli. Kohli alone has earned RCB millions of fans. Their never-say-die attitude, loyal fan culture, and aggressive playing style make them the third most followed team in 2026.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

KKR, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, is one of the biggest brands in the IPL. Three titles, strong marketing, and a global fan base have transformed this purple and gold brand into a powerhouse. Their purple-gold branding, the iconic “Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo” slogan – these are unmatched.

5. Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Despite winning a limited number of trophies, the Punjab Kings enjoy one of the most enthusiastic fan bases in India. Bollywood star Preity Zinta also adds star power to the team. And the team’s exciting, explosive style of cricket keeps fans’ expectations high each season.

6. Delhi Capitals (DC)

Delhi has a rich history in the IPL but has never won a trophy. Despite this, DC has a strong fan base with stars like Pant, Sehwag, Dhawan, and Warner. Its brand positioning is strong, and it remains one of the most consistent teams in terms of social engagement.

7. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

SRH’s global popularity stems from the presence of legends like David Warner, Rashid Khan, Kane Williamson, and now Pat Cummins. Their explosive batting performances in 2024 have led to a massive increase in their fan following.

8. Rajasthan Royals (RR)

The 2008 champion team is one of the most beloved franchises due to its strong connection with its fans. Their social media is creative, player-focused, and fun, which keeps fans engaged. Furthermore, their young talent makes them exciting to follow.

9. Gujarat Titans (GT)

GT had one of the most explosive starts in IPL history, winning the 2022 title in their very first season. Reaching the 2023 final under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy doubled their fan base. In short, they became an overnight sensation. Although GT was new, their fan base surpassed 7.6 million.

10. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

Lucknow joined the 2022 edition of the IPL and quickly gained a fan following. Thanks to KL Rahul’s captaincy and strong batting lineups like Pooran and de Kock, LSG quickly gained a fan base despite being a new team. Their consistent playoff appearances in the initial seasons further increased their popularity among the youth.

Why do IPL teams have such huge followings?

Various factors affect fan following:

Star Players

Teams like Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit have huge followings.

On-field Performance

Popularity increases with consistent winning records.

Fan Engagement

RR & KKR teams are very active on social media sites.

Regional Loyalty

People strongly relate to teams representing their cities.

Merchandising & Branding

Stronger branded teams like CSK, MI, and RCB enjoy lifelong supporters.

Read More: IPL Team Owners Name List – Brand & Net Worth (2025 List)

Conclusion

For the 2026 season, Chennai Super Kings is officially the franchise with the most fans in the IPL. They are followed by Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. The IPL is constantly growing worldwide, and as teams adopt new strategies and franchises gain popularity, these figures may decrease.

But for now, the Yellow Army rules India and the world.

FAQs: People Also Ask

Q1. Why is CSK considered to have the most fans in the IPL?

The CSK fraternity is built on mutual trust, consistency, and emotional connection. This is due to many reasons, including MSD’s captaincy—he is admired across the country and the world. Their fans have stood by them even during bad seasons, which is why they remain the most followed franchise year after year.

Q2. How did RCB become one of the most popular teams without winning a trophy?

The main reason for RCB’s popularity is Virat Kohli, the world’s most followed cricketer. The fact that he is associated with the franchise significantly elevates RCB’s brand. Secondly, at any given time, the team has always had global superstars like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Maxwell, and Faf du Plessis, further enhancing their appeal. Their enthusiastic and passionate fan base (“the 12th man army”) supports them regardless of the results.