Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, have expanded their commercial lineup by signing Sprite as the official beverage partner for three seasons, starting with IPL 2026.
The agreement strengthens LSG’s consumer brand portfolio and hands Sprite a premium platform in the IPL, one of the most influential commercial properties in world cricket.
Sprite, the global beverage brand under The Coca-Cola Company, will receive full pouring rights and extensive visibility across the team’s matchday operations, digital channels, and in-stadium fan experiences.
The association is supported by regional Coca-Cola bottlers SLMG Beverages and Moon Beverages, reflecting the brand’s long-term plan to deepen its presence in Uttar Pradesh, a critical growth market.
The deal builds on Sprite’s identity around composure under pressure, a message embedded in its Thand Rakh positioning. LSG views the alignment as a natural fit, reinforcing the team’s own commitment to maintaining clarity in high-intensity IPL moments.
Sumeli Chatterjee, Category Head, Sparkling Flavours India & Southwest Asia, The Coca-Cola Company, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Lucknow Super Giants to celebrate the unstoppable cricket passion that always electrifies our audience. This strategic association brings in Sprite’s chilled and refreshing Thand Rakh proposition to the high-impact IPL platform, creating unique experiences. Our partnership with the Lucknow Super Giants also underlines Sprite’s long-term focus on Uttar Pradesh, a priority growth market where we continue to invest in sustainability and year-round consumer engagement initiatives.”
Vinay Chopra, CEO, Lucknow Super Giants, added, “At LSG, we partner with brands that share our drive to push boundaries and elevate the game for our fans. Sprite fits right in because this team is built on the same spirit, that is, staying cool under pressure. With this association, we are gearing up for a season packed with moments that inspire, add to the excitement in the stands, and stay with fans long after the final ball is bowled.”
The agreement adds a major global soft drink brand to LSG’s growing sponsorship structure, which already includes partners in financial services, packaged water, fantasy sports, FMCG and technology. For Sprite, the IPL partnership delivers deep access to a young, high-consumption fanbase at a time when beverage companies are accelerating their regional expansion and experiential marketing efforts.
The move also aligns with wider industry trends. IPL franchises continue to shift towards multi-year deals that offer integrated assets, stronger storytelling opportunities and scalable fan activations. Beverage brands, in particular, see strong returns in stitching together in-stadium visibility with digital engagement during the league’s long seasonal footprint.
On the field, Lucknow finished the 2025 season with a steady mid-table performance and will enter 2026 under captain Rishabh Pant. The franchise has retained a strong core featuring Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan. LSG enters the 2026 auction with a remaining purse of INR 22.95 crore to fill six slots, including four overseas positions, after releasing several players.
As the partnership activates ahead of IPL 2026, Sprite and LSG are working on a multi-platform marketing program designed to elevate the matchday atmosphere and deliver new touchpoints for fans inside the stadium and across digital platforms. This is expected to become a central part of LSG’s fan experience strategy over the next three seasons.
