Ahmedabad: Royal Challengers Bengaluru not only lifted the IPL 2026 trophy but also walked away with a massive cash reward of Rs 20 crore after defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The title victory capped off another successful season for RCB, who successfully defended their championship and added another major prize purse to their achievements.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India allocated a total prize pool of more than Rs 46.5 crore for IPL 2026. As champions, RCB received Rs 20 crore, while runners up Gujarat Titans earned Rs 13 crore for finishing second in the tournament.
Apart from the finalists, the other playoff teams were also rewarded financially. Rajasthan Royals, who lost Qualifier 2, received Rs 7 crore, while Sunrisers Hyderabad earned Rs 6.5 crore after their exit in the Eliminator. Teams finishing outside the top four did not receive direct prize money from the league.
The IPL 2026 season also featured significant rewards for individual performers. Rajasthan Royals batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who finished as the tournament’s highest run scorer with 776 runs, won the Orange Cap and received a cash prize. Gujarat Titans fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed the Purple Cap after ending the season as the leading wicket taker with 29 wickets. Individual award winners were eligible for rewards worth up to approximately Rs 1 crore.
Several other honours were handed out during the season, including the Most Valuable Player award, Emerging Player award, Super Striker recognition and Fair Play accolades. These awards highlighted standout individual performances across the tournament and added to the financial rewards available beyond team success.
The IPL remains one of the richest franchise cricket leagues in the world. Prize money has grown significantly since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2008, when the winning team received Rs 4.8 crore. The winners’ purse increased to Rs 10 crore in 2010, reached Rs 20 crore in 2016 and has remained at that figure in recent seasons apart from a temporary reduction during the Covid affected 2020 edition.
RCB’s title winning campaign, combined with the lucrative prize money, ensured a memorable finish to IPL 2026. While Gujarat Titans narrowly missed out on the championship, their journey to the final and Rs 13 crore reward underlined another strong season for the franchise.