Nippon Paint India has partnered with Punjab Kings as an official partner ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), reinforcing the brand’s push into India’s fast-evolving consumer market through one of sport’s most powerful marketing platforms.
As part of the agreement, Nippon Paint will feature its branding on the right sleeve of Punjab Kings’ matchday jerseys, ensuring consistent on-field visibility across the tournament. The partnership will extend beyond jersey exposure, with both entities set to collaborate on integrated digital campaigns, retail activations, and fan engagement initiatives throughout the IPL season.
The move reflects Nippon Paint’s intent to leverage the IPL’s scale and cultural relevance to deepen its connection with younger and urban consumers, a segment increasingly driving growth in India’s decorative paints category. With the league continuing to deliver significant reach across broadcast and digital ecosystems, the association offers a high-impact platform for brand visibility and recall.
Commenting on the partnership, Sharad Malhotra, Managing Director, Nippon Paint (India) Group, said, “We are delighted to join hands with Punjab Kings. They are a team that embodies tremendous energy, fearless spirit, and the relentless will to win. The team’s ‘Never Give Up’ attitude resonates deeply with Nippon Paint’s core values. This same resilient spirit is what drives our #NayeIndiaKeNayeRang vision as we celebrate a dynamic, unstoppable nation on the move. The IPL gives us an extraordinary platform to connect with cricket fans across every corner of India, and through this partnership, we intend to do exactly that with colour, with energy, and with the full force of both brands.”
Mark Titus, President-Decorative Coatings Business, Nippon Paint India, added, “The IPL is India’s most powerful platform for reaching younger consumers at scale — and Punjab Kings, with their vibrant identity and passionate fanbase, are the ideal partner for Nippon Paint as we accelerate our brand’s growth across India. This partnership is not just a jersey placement. We endeavour to build deep, lasting connections with the next generation of Indian consumers.”
Satish Menon, CEO, Punjab Kings, continued, “We are thrilled to welcome Nippon Paint to the Punjab Kings family. Their strong reputation for leadership, innovation and quality aligns well with our team’s ambition and competitive spirit. With some of the most promising young and experienced talent in the squad, we intend to build a successful season, with Nippon Paint being a part of that journey.”
Saurabh Arora, Chief Commercial Officer, Punjab Kings, shared, “It is our pleasure to have Nippon Paints join the Punjab Kings family. As a brand known for innovation and quality, it aligns with our vision of building a dynamic and high-performance franchise. We look forward to having a great season, with such like-minded partners to back us.”
As part of its activation strategy, Nippon Paint has introduced a co-branded mascot, “Blobber Sher,” which will anchor fan engagement across digital and on-ground experiences, adding a distinctive layer to the partnership’s visibility during the tournament.
The deal underlines a broader trend within the IPL, where non-endemic brands are increasingly leveraging team partnerships to access cricket’s massive and highly engaged audience base. Nippon Paint joins a growing roster of Punjab Kings sponsors, including Jaypee, CP Plus, SIX5SIX, and Nivia.
Punjab Kings are set to begin their IPL 2026 campaign on March 31 against Gujarat Titans, as the franchise looks to translate its commercial momentum into on-field performance.
With IPL 2026 expected to deliver another commercially strong season, the partnership highlights how brands continue to utilise the league as a high-impact platform for visibility, engagement, and market expansion.
