Every team in the Indian Premier League has millions of admirers. It is only natural to ask “Which IPL team has the most fans?”
Whether Indian or not, the Indian Premier League has struck a chord with every cricket fan across the world. Its intense craze and madness know no bounds.
The IPL is not only a platform for young cricket talents to rise above. Since its inception, the league has also become a huge money-making machine owing to its groundbreaking popularity.
This Twenty20 league has become a point of conversation in all kinds of crowds. From malls to auto rickshas to locker rooms to local trains and whatnot, every place is buzzing with IPL chit-chat when the league is in season.
When an IPL match is going on, it is not just stadiums that are crowded. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all jam-packed with people posting updates and churning out memes, scores and opinions every second!
IPL Teams: A Closer Look at the IPL Powerhouses
BCCI announced the commencement of a franchise-based twenty20 cricket competition known as the IPL in April 2008. That year, 8 inaugural IPL teams made their debut. After some expansions and terminations, these are the 10 IPL teams that compete every year in the IPL tournaments:
- Chennai Super Kings
- Delhi Capitals
- Gujarat Titans
- Kolkata Knight Riders
- Lucknow Super Giants
- Mumbai Indians
- Punjab Kings
- Rajasthan Royals
- Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
Which IPL team has the most fans and what is the reason behind this popularity?
While all ten teams have an enormous fan following, some are more loved than others. One obvious way to check each IPL team’s popularity is by looking at the love and attention they receive on social media platforms. These sites are a gateway for fans to reach their beloved cricketers. Owners of the franchises also get the opportunity to create personal engagement with the supporters and enhance their brand and marketability.
IPL Online Fanbase
Let’s look at the number of followers each IPL team has on social media giants like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
| IPL Teams | Followers on Facebook | Followers on Instagram | Followers on Twitter | Total Followers |
| Chennai Super Kings | 14 million | 16 million | 10.6 million | 40.6 million |
| Delhi Capitals | 9 million | 3.9 million | 2.6 million | 15.5 million |
| Gujarat Titans | 1.6 million | 4.1 million | 596.7 K | 6.2 million |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 17 million | 6.5 million | 5.3 million | 28.8 million |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 1 million | 3.3 million | 803.3 K | 5.1 million |
| Mumbai Indians | 14 million | 14.1 million | 8.2 million | 36.3 million |
| Punjab Kings | 9 million | 3.3 million | 3 million | 15.3 million |
| Rajasthan Royals | 5.2 million | 4.4 million | 2.9 million | 12.5 million |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 10 million | 14.8 million | 7.2 million | 32 million |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 6.6 million | 4.4 million | 3.3 million | 14.3 million |
Note: These numbers are accurate as of 23rd August, 2024.
Chennai Super Kings has surpassed every other team in terms of followers. By far, the team has amassed an astounding 40 million online fans. Closely following teams are Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): The Yellow Brigade
Chennai Super Kings is arguably the most loved and popular IPL team with more than 40 million combined fans on all three social media platforms.
However, the team’s popularity is not limited to social media alone. You can find CSK fans all around you, cheering and hyping up the players.
Through the years, CSK has enjoyed a massive following, not just in Tamil Nadu but across India and even globally.
What could be the reason for this passionate fanbase?
CSK has been one of the most consistent teams in IPL history, often making it to the playoffs and winning the title multiple times. The team’s diligent and loyal fanbase spans across generations.
Even so, the team owes part of its loyalty and popularity to the best captain in IPL history: Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Dhoni’s calm presence and on-field charisma have garnered the team immense love among Indian Cricket fans.
Besides, CSK is the only IPL team to win the tournament five times and finish as runners-up on five different occasions. The team’s winning years are 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023.
Now we know which IPL team has the most fans. Let us sneak a peak at other runners-up.
Mumbai Indians (MI): The Blue Army
Mumbai Indians is the second most successful team in IPL history with five titles to their name. Additionally, they finished as runners-up in one IPL tournament.
Next to CSK, the Mumbai Indians squad has the most number of fans globally.
Firstly, the reason for their immense following and worldwide fanbase is their consistency in the game and their connection with star cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard.
Secondly, Mumbai is a city of passionate people. Festivals like Ganpati Utsav and Durga Puja are celebrated with exhilarating passion and verve. The same energy translates into cricket fanaticism making Mumbai Indians’ fanbase the most energetic and passionate group of fans.
The Real Superstars: IPL Fans!
While all teams put a lot of effort and training during the IPL, Chennai Super Kings’ popularity is undoubtedly beyond reach owing to its Dhoni factor.
However, fan loyalty in the IPL is less about numbers and more about the love and hype players receive while playing for their fans’ favourite teams.
The passion, energy and support provided by fans is something every cricketer cherishes and admires.
Whether you’re a CSK superfan, a member of MI’s Blue Army, or a loyal RCB supporter, the IPL wouldn’t be the same without the incredible fans who make the league truly special.
At the end of the day, we all know how the dice of popularity is fickle and can turn on any side in the future.
Now that Dhoni has opted out of CSK captaincy, do you think fans will continue to shower their loyalty and love on the team? Or Will they move on to Mumbai Indians, ‘the next best thing’?
