Fan Loyalty in IPL 2025: Which Teams Have the Most Passionate Supporters?

If there is one thing that is true for all sports, regardless of how popular they are and in which parts of the world they are the most popular, it is the presence of passionate fans. Sports fan bases, both those casual ones and hardcore ultras, are synonymous with the sporting industry and business, whatever you want to call it. This form of entertainment relies on the common folk as much as, if not more than, other areas of popular culture like movies or music. All of them require audiences, spectators, and the public to get involved, else they will not get any profit or fame. However, for sports, it is more personal and more honest because most of the time, being a fan of a team is a lifelong thing, whereas other entertainment comes and goes.

For the sport of cricket, which is not famous in all parts of the world, unlike football or basketball, the pride and glory of being a fan of a professional sports team is that much more important. Everyone knows that Southeast Asia is where it is at in terms of cricket, and that countries like India, where it is the national sport and the number one pastime activity, cherish it and hold it in the highest regard. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is indeed the best and the most popular cricketing league in the world, but the fact that it has the best teams and players is only one aspect of it. Equally important are the fans, both locals who support their city’s team, and those a bit further away. Without them, the sport, the league, and the players would not be nearly as popular, and cricket would not thrive in India.

But one question arises from all of this: which IPL team has the best fans? Which professional cricket organizations in IPL can say that their supporters are the craziest about their respective teams and show up every time while promoting their teams online and in real life? In this overview, we take a look at fandoms of the Indian Premier League in 2025 and try to determine whose fans carry the title of being the most passionate. If you enjoy IPL and are glued to the 2025 season, stick to the end as we also bring the freshest and predictions so that you can make accurate bets if you enjoy online sports betting.

Who has the Most Passionate Supporters?

So, who has the most loyal IPL fans, and how can that even be determined? By the number of fans and their attendance? Their posts online? The fact that they can back it up with their team’s success? It is not easy to make up the IPL 2025 fanbase ranking, but we can do the next best thing and conclude from the evidence at hand. After examining various factors like social media engagement, fan attendance, trending memes, and chants, here is a rough estimate of the current situation.

The Chennai Super Kings fans, known as the Yellow Army, boast the highest social media following in the IPL. The Whistle Podu Army is also renowned for their unwavering support and filling stadiums to their full capacities. Their star, MS Dhoni, is the central figure of memes, while the team’s anthem, Whistle Podu, is a staple at every match.

The Blue Brigade, i.e., the fandom of the Mumbai Indians, is among the most talked-about teams on social media, with tens of thousands of mentions in typical daily searches, meaning their supporters are quite engaged. Despite a disappointing last season that saw them finish last, the fans are very passionate and driven, and they show it in their internet humor. They do fill out the stands, too, both of the Wankhede Stadium and the Brabourne Stadium.

The Red Army of the RCB squad is known around the country as very passionate and deeply involved with their team. Fans can always be seen with colorful displays, chanting away the anthem, and supporting the team both at home games, when they fill out the 35,000 seats of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and away. Their team’s performances trend on social media, and the fans enjoy engaging with it by sharing the memes, showing love and support in the comments, and expressing their criticism, both positive and negative, because that is what true fans do.

When the official hashtag of the team that both the official pages and the fans use is #PlayWithFire, you already know the passion that exists among everyone involved with the club. The Sunrisers Hyderabad fans, known as The Orange Army, are recognized for their passion, constant attendance, and fighting spirit. The aforementioned slogan resonates with the fans well due to the team colors, but also their fighting spirit of always showing up, even during the most challenging of seasons.

Indian National Team Fans

The most beautiful thing about every sport is when the entire country comes together to support the national team at the biggest stage. This, of course, happens when India plays in any type of cricket format. The divides between supporters of fierce rivals disappear for the duration of the competition, and everyone cheers on the Men in Blue. The passion is electric as they turn stadiums into seas of blue with deafening chants and unwavering energy. Whether at home or abroad, their support is relentless and capable of making neutral venues feel like home turf for their team. In moments of triumph or heartbreak, their love remains unshaken and reflects the deep bond between the players and the fans that transcends what is customary for sport.

IPL Odds and Predictions

For those among you who frequently follow the ongoing 2025 season of the best cricketing league on the planet, the upcoming matches and odds are probably interesting at least as much as the whole fandom discussion. After all, you are one of those fans when your respective club is in question, so it makes sense to check out what the leading online sportsbooks like have to say about the upcoming games.

For the lone April 26 game, it is a very tough matchup between equally equipped and talented teams, at least when the odds are concerned. The Kolkata Knight Riders (7th) are hosting the Punjab Kings (5th) in what is an almost identical odds matchup of 1.80 and 1.85, respectively. It should be a treat to watch with the home team gaining a slight advantage from the bookies.

On April 27, two more games await us. First, it is the home team, Mumbai Indians (4th), with 1.52 odds hosting the Lucknow Super Giants (6th) with 2.25. It could be a one-sided affair, but the teams have surprised us before, so be sure to explore those higher odds on the visiting side. The other game is bound to be more interesting as the visiting side, Royal Challengers Bangalore, the third-best team so far, get better odds of 1.80 in their away game at Delhi Capitals, the second-best, who are at 1.85.

The final game of this matchday comes on Monday, April 28, when the underdogs Rajasthan Royals welcome the Gujarat Titans. The home team is not favored for this one with 2.10 odds, while the visitors have strong 1.60 odds to take the win. They are the best team this season, currently leading the standings with 6 wins and 2 losses and a +1.104 NRR. The home team, on the other hand, is 8th with only 2 wins and 7 losses and an NRR of -0.625.

IPL Fans: Facts, Trivia, and FAQ

Why is cricket so popular in India?

Cricket in India is not just a sport or an activity. It is a shared emotion of the entire population. Its popularity stems from colonial legacy, accessible infrastructure, legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar, and the thrill of high-stakes matches. The IPL brings a festival-like atmosphere every spring, the sport mixes with Bollywood and big business, and there are fewer casual watchers than hardcore fans. Simply put, it is a core element of what and who Indians are.

Which IPL team has the largest fan base in India?

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) usually top the charts with the number of fans. CSK has massive support thanks to MS Dhoni’s iconic status. On the other hand, MI’s winning legacy of titles and star-studded lineups, currently with Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, keep their fandom strong and loyal.

Which IPL fan bases are considered the most passionate?

CSK fans are known for their fierce loyalty, often treating their star player, Dhoni, as a deity. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans, despite never winning a title, show up every season with unmatched energy, especially for their best player, Virat Kohli. The fans of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) like bringing the drama with them due to their Bollywood ties, since they are co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, resulting in creative chants.

Do cricket fans in India follow only the IPL or other formats too?

While the IPL dominates pop culture like nothing else, Indian fans are equally invested in Test matches and ODIs, especially when Team India plays. The emotional intensity during ICC tournaments is often higher than IPL games, as all of the fans unite in cheering for their national squad.

Are there regional divides in IPL team fandoms?

Yes, as many fans support the team from their home state, particularly the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Telangana/AP, Punjab Kings in Punjab, Rajasthan Royals in Rajasthan, and Delhi Capitals in Delhi NCR. Still, plenty also follow teams based on favorite players or overall performance, or simply because they were brought up that way and introduced to the teams by their parents and/or grandparents.

How do Indian cricket fans express their loyalty?

Similar to other countries and sports, it comes down to chants in stadiums, social media fan wars, merchandise, painted faces, tattoos, and massive welcome parades. Cricket fans in India wear their hearts on their sleeves and show up and show out for their favorite clubs and players.

Which underdog IPL team has a surprisingly strong fanbase?

Rajasthan Royals (RR) might not be the flashiest team, but their early 2008 title win and focus on nurturing young Indian talent have earned them a strong cult following that lasts to this day. Fans love their “Moneyball” approach and the unpredictable gameplay that is often difficult for opponents to read and adapt to.

How do social media and memes shape cricket fandom in India?

IPL Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit communities are meme goldmines with fans flocking to the comment sections. The banter between MI and RCB fans is always the best with reaction videos, Dhoni-Kohli edit wars, and IPL auction memes keeping the fans connected and entertained all year round, especially during the boring offseason.

Are younger fans different from older generations of cricket lovers?

Yes, as is the case with any sport. Older fans grew up on Test cricket and iconic players like Kapil Dev and Dravid, and are not entirely used to modern changes. Younger fans are far more drawn to the IPL, flashy T20 formats, and dynamic players like Ruturaj Gaikwad or Shubman Gill. However, both sides unite when India plays, which is when the atmosphere is at its highest.

Which team has the most diverse pan-India fanbase?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would be the best answer here. Despite being based in Karnataka, their fan base stretches across the country due to Virat Kohli’s pan-India appeal. The “Ee Sala Cup Namde” chant echoes far beyond Bengaluru.

Which IPL team has the largest fan base outside of India?

As of 2025, the Mumbai Indians (MI) boast the largest fanbase outside of India among all IPL teams. Their global popularity is underscored by a substantial social media presence as they have ​14.6 million followers on Instagram, 8.2 million followers on X (Twitter), 14 million followers on Facebook, and 6.15 million subscribers on YouTube.