Bangladesh Cricket Board invites bids for media rights of 2026-27 home series
01.07.2026
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has extended an invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and financial offers for the worldwide media rights of its bilateral international home series involving the Bangladesh National Cricket Team (Men) during the 2026–27 period. This development follows a period of strained cricketing and diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.
The tender specifically mentions several significant tours scheduled to be hosted in Bangladesh. These include India Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2026, which is set to feature three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20i). Also listed are the West Indies Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2026, comprising two Test matches, the England Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2027, also with two Test matches, and the Pakistan Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2027, which will include five ODIs.
Media Rights Tender Details
The BCB is seeking proposals from various entities, including reputable TV broadcasters, digital platforms, marketing agencies, consortiums, and firms. The aim is to secure the worldwide media rights for these upcoming series, which are expected to draw significant interest from the cricketing world. The bidding process for these rights is scheduled to commence on July 2, with a reported deadline for submissions on July 22.
This move by the BCB is seen as a positive step towards normalising cricketing ties, particularly with India. Last year, a six-game white-ball series between the two nations, scheduled for August 2025, was cancelled by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This cancellation was attributed to packed international commitments, amidst diplomatic tensions and other cricketing disputes, including issues surrounding Mustafizur Rahman and T20 World Cup 2026 security concerns.
The BCB had previously paused the sale process of its media rights for a two-year period following the BCCI’s cancellation of the 2025 tour. The resumption of this process now suggests a potential improvement in relations and the likelihood of the postponed series proceeding as planned. The tender documents explicitly mention India’s tour among the listed series, indicating its importance to the BCB’s plans.
Resumption of India-Bangladesh Cricket Ties
The cricketing relationship between India and Bangladesh has faced challenges, including diplomatic strains that led to the postponement of a six-match white-ball tour last year. Reports indicate that the BCCI has been awaiting directives from the Indian government before confirming dates for a tour to Bangladesh. Despite these past issues, the BCB’s recent tender for media rights has generated hope for the resumption of these bilateral series.
The tender document, which became available at the BCB’s Dhaka office starting July 2, specifically invites expressions of interest for matches scheduled throughout 2026 and 2027. The inclusion of India’s tour at the top of this list underscores the significance of this series for the BCB. The BCCI has maintained that its decisions regarding participation in bilateral and multinational sporting events are guided by the policies of the Government of India.
Recently, the BCCI declined a request from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on June 28 to add three additional T20 International matches to India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. This decision, made in the context of a potential India visit to Bangladesh, has further fueled speculation about the approval of the series. There is reportedly a two-week window between the conclusion of India’s bilateral series against Sri Lanka and its subsequent international commitments, which could accommodate the Bangladesh tour.
The BCB’s decision to resume the media rights sale process suggests that the Indian cricket board may have given an informal approval for the series to proceed. The tender explicitly covers India’s three ODIs and three T20I games, alongside tours from West Indies, England, and Pakistan.
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Source: tigercricket.com.bd
Ishaan Kapoor
Sports correspondent covering cricket, football and international competitions.