Cricket lovers: are you ready to be bowled over?

With more than half a billion viewers worldwide, the annual Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most hotly anticipated events on the global sporting calendar – and Expo 2020 will be part of the cricketing excitement, after confirming a one-year deal as Principal Sponsor of the Rajasthan Royals.

The partnership will see Expo’s logo on the front of jerseys worn by the Royals – who were the inaugural IPL champions – throughout the IPL 2021 season, which starts on 9 April.

The Royals are currently preparing for their first match of the season on 12 April, under Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara, former captain of Sri Lanka, and the leadership of captain Sanju Samson (India). Their current squad also includes overseas stars Ben Stokes (England), Chris Morris (South Africa) and Jos Buttler (England).

The international reach of the tournament will help spread the Expo 2020 message to cricket fans across the planet, as Expo counts down to welcoming the world in six months, on 1 October. The IPL broke records during the 2020 season, with more than 550 million viewers.

With shared beliefs of innovation, collaboration and optimism for the future, the partnership reflects Rajasthan Royals’ commitment to act as a catalyst for change, as well as to a range of social development programmes, with the ambition of impacting society through cricket.

India is a key visitation market for Expo 2020, which will feature a dedicated India Pavilion.