The International Cricket Council (ICC) is in advanced discussions to make its first-ever startup investment by backing Bengaluru-based gaming startup LightFury Games, according to people familiar with the matter. As part of the proposed partnership, LightFury is also expected to secure the ICC’s official global gaming rights across mobile, PC, and console platforms, paving the way for what could become the governing body’s official cricket video game.
The move marks a significant shift in the ICC’s commercial strategy as it looks to deepen fan engagement beyond traditional broadcasting and sponsorships. For LightFury Games, the deal would provide global branding rights and strengthen its ambitions to develop “E-Cricket,” a AAA (high-budget) cricket game aimed at competing with leading global sports gaming franchises.
ICC Eyes Landmark Startup Investment
If finalized, the transaction would mark the ICC’s first direct investment in a startup.
| Deal Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Investor | International Cricket Council (ICC) |
| Startup | LightFury Games |
| Sector | Gaming and Interactive Entertainment |
| Strategic asset | Global ICC gaming rights |
| Status | Advanced discussions |
The ICC has said it is not in a position to confirm the deal but indicated that an announcement could come in the coming weeks.
LightFury Games’ Big Ambition
Founded in 2024, LightFury Games is building E-Cricket, a AAA cricket title designed for multiple platforms.
The game aims to offer:
- Real-time multiplayer gameplay.
- Mobile, PC, and console support.
- High-quality graphics and gameplay.
- Global competitive cricket experiences.
- Official ICC branding and tournaments, if the deal is finalized.
The company hopes to create a cricket gaming franchise comparable in scale to leading football video game series.
Strong Backing From Investors and Cricketers
LightFury has already attracted notable investors.
Its supporters include:
- MS Dhoni.
- Jasprit Bumrah.
- Hardik Pandya.
- Shreyas Iyer.
- Ravindra Jadeja.
- Blume Ventures.
- V3 Ventures.
- MIXI.
- Times Internet.
The startup has raised approximately $20 million across funding rounds to date.
Why ICC Is Entering Gaming
The ICC sees gaming as an important avenue for expanding cricket’s global reach.
| Strategic Objective | Expected Benefit |
|---|---|
| Fan engagement | Reach younger audiences |
| Digital ecosystem | Expand beyond live matches |
| New revenue streams | Licensing and gaming partnerships |
| Global brand | Strengthen cricket’s digital presence |
Gaming has become one of the fastest-growing forms of sports entertainment, with cricket representing a relatively underdeveloped segment compared to football and basketball.
India’s Gaming Opportunity
India continues to emerge as one of the world’s largest gaming markets.
Key industry drivers include:
- Hundreds of millions of active gamers.
- Rapid smartphone adoption.
- Growing spending on in-app purchases.
- Rising interest in esports.
- Strong cricket fan base.
Despite cricket’s immense popularity, the sport has yet to produce a globally successful AAA gaming franchise.
What Makes E-Cricket Different?
LightFury is positioning E-Cricket as a premium gaming experience.
The project focuses on:
- Realistic gameplay mechanics.
- Licensed professional cricketers.
- Cross-platform multiplayer support.
- AI-assisted game development.
- Global competitive play.
The company has assembled a leadership team with experience from major gaming companies, including Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Tencent Games, and Improbable.
Potential Industry Impact
If completed, the partnership could:
- Accelerate investment in Indian game development.
- Boost cricket’s digital ecosystem.
- Increase global esports opportunities.
- Encourage more sports organizations to back gaming startups.
- Strengthen India’s AAA game development ecosystem.
The deal would also represent a rare example of an international sports governing body taking an equity stake in a gaming startup.
Outlook
The proposed investment reflects the ICC’s growing focus on digital engagement and the commercial potential of gaming. By partnering with LightFury Games, the governing body could help create the first globally licensed AAA cricket game while opening new revenue opportunities beyond traditional media rights and sponsorships.
For LightFury, securing both ICC investment and official gaming rights would provide significant credibility as it seeks to build a world-class cricket gaming franchise capable of reaching players across mobile, PC, and console platforms.
What It Means for the Gaming Industry
The ICC’s planned investment signals a broader convergence of sports and interactive entertainment. As fans increasingly engage with sports through gaming, esports, and digital platforms, governing bodies are looking beyond licensing deals to become active participants in the gaming ecosystem.
For India’s gaming industry, the partnership could be a milestone. A successful AAA cricket title backed by the ICC would not only elevate the country’s game development capabilities but also demonstrate that Indian studios can build globally competitive sports franchises with worldwide appeal.
Get the day’s top stories in your inbox
One concise email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
