Bangladesh Cricket Board invites bids for media rights for 2026–27 home series

By Sanjay Menon — 1 July 2026 — 4 min read

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has extended an invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and financial offers for the worldwide media rights to its bilateral international home series involving the Bangladesh National Cricket Team (Men) during the 2026–27 period. This move comes after a period of strained cricketing relations, particularly with India, and signifies a potential return to normalcy for international fixtures hosted in Bangladesh.

The tender specifically covers several significant tours scheduled to take place 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 for two Test matches, and the Pakistan Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2027, which will consist of five ODIs.

Resumption of Media Rights Sale

The BCB‘s decision to resume the sale of television and digital media rights holds considerable importance for cricketing relations between India and Bangladesh. The sale process for media rights had previously been paused for two years after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cancelled a tour in 2025. This cancellation was part of a series of dramatic events that included the postponement of a six-game white-ball series scheduled for August 2025, citing packed international commitments.

Tensions between the two nations had escalated last year following diplomatic and sports-related issues. These included extradition demands for Bangladesh‘s former Prime Minister and protests in Dhaka concerning India‘s actions. Additionally, incidents such as Mustafizur Rahman‘s reported snub from Kolkata Knight Riders and Bangladesh‘s refusal to participate in the T20 World Cup 2026 due to security concerns further impacted the relationship.

The current tender from the BCB is seen as a positive step towards restoring cricketing ties. The invitation for EOIs has been communicated to Indian broadcasters, explicitly mentioning the India tour in 2026. The confidential document outlining the tours includes India‘s name, alongside West Indies, England, and Pakistan, for the upcoming bilateral home series.

The bidding process for these media rights is scheduled to officially commence on July 2, with a reported deadline for submissions set for July 22. The full EOI document will be available at the BCB‘s Dhaka office starting July 2.

Implications for India-Bangladesh Cricket

The renewed tender for media rights has sparked speculation regarding the potential for the postponed six-match white-ball series between India and Bangladesh to take place in September of the current year. While the BCCI has not provided a clear stance on the matter, the BCB‘s actions suggest a strong possibility of the series proceeding.

The BCCI had previously 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 proposal from SLC was intended as a charity initiative to raise funds for relief efforts following severe destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah. This cancellation is now viewed in the context of a potential India visit to Bangladesh, especially given a reported two-week window between the end of India‘s bilateral series against Sri Lanka and subsequent international commitments.

The BCB had reportedly been awaiting a formal approval from the BCCI in 2025 to continue with the media rights sale, as an India tour is considered a significant revenue generator. The resumption of the media rights process by the Bangladesh board suggests that the Indian cricket board may have privately approved the series.

The tender document from the BCB explicitly invites proposals from reputable TV broadcasters, digital platforms, marketing agencies, consortiums, and firms for acquiring worldwide media rights for these bilateral international home series. The list of tours covered under this EOI begins with the India Team’s Tour of Bangladesh 2026.

The original postponement of the India-Bangladesh tour was attributed to diplomatic strain between the two nations. Subsequent events, including the Mustafizur Rahman episode and the Kolkata Knight Riders, further complicated the relationship. However, changes in leadership within Bangladesh‘s government and the cricket board since the postponement may have contributed to the current developments.

A BCCI secretary clarified that the Indian board’s decisions regarding participation in bilateral and multinational sporting events are guided by directives from the Indian government, rather than internal political changes in other countries. The BCB‘s tender document, which explicitly mentions India‘s tour, indicates a proactive step towards hosting the series in 2026.

The bidding process for the worldwide media rights for these series will officially begin on July 2.

Source: tigercricket.com.bd