Indian eSports and fantasy gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL) is set to boost its marketing budget for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

The IPL, which is the world’s most popular T20 league is a busy period for daily fantasy sports firms like MPL. And to leverage the league’s far-reaching influence, MPL will increase its spending during this season as compared to IPL 2020.

“We do not have the exact numbers to share at the moment but our investment in IPL-related campaigns this year is significantly more than our IPL-related budget last year," Abhishek Madhavan, SVP, growth and marketing, MPL told exchage4media.

“Our IPL-related brand investments make up a significant chunk of the overall budget… With so much visibility for gaming and eSports companies, thanks to the IPL, some of us are recognised across the country.”

The online gaming firm will run its campaigns on TV as well as digitally to amplify the reach as it aims to expand its user base, claimed to be at 70 million, to 100 million by the end of IPL 2021.

Along with the advertisements, MPL will have a host of grand contests and mega contests and will provide sign-up bonuses and referral rewards. It also promises to give users cash for signing up on the platform.

It sponsored the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team in IPL 2020.

Founded in 2018 by Sai Srinivas and Shubh Malhotra, apart from fantasy gaming, MPL has a wide array of casual games like pool, chess, ludo, carrom, rummy, and quiz in its roster.

The Bangalore-based firm is endorsed by Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and its clothing arm, MPL Sports, is the official kit sponsor of the Indian cricket team in all formats.

MPL recently raised USD 95 million in its latest funding round.