The DLF Indian Premier League on Thursday announced that Kingfisher Airlines, the country's only 5 star airline, has bagged the rights to being the Official Umpire Partner for the league and will also sponsor all third umpire decisions during the 59 action packed games in the Twenty20 tournament beginning next month.

The umpire partnership deal is worth Rs 106 crores for a five-year period. As per the agreement, Kingfisher Airlines will receive branding on the umpires' uniform including their shirts and hats during the IPL, along with several other activation opportunities around the property.

"The DLF Indian Premier League is a highly innovative concept and the Twenty20 format will undoubtedly take cricket's popularity to a new high. Kingfisher Airlines will present the DLF IPL umpires in a completely new and modern style while retaining their critical role in the sport," said Dr Vijay Mallya [Images], Chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines.

Earlier, leading sports broadcaster Sony Max and World Sport Group had bagged IPL's global media and production rights for US $ 1.026 billion.

The exclusive Franchise rights for the eight city league were won by Shah Rukh Khan's [Images] Kolkata Knight Riders, Preity Zinta's [Images] Mohali, the Mumbai Indians, GMR's Delhi Daredevils, UB Group's The Royal Challengers of Bangalore, Indian Cements owned Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chronicle's Hyderabad Chargers and Emerging Media's Jaipur Royals.

The Twenty20 tournament will kick off on April 18 in Bangalore with a high voltage opening encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

• Schedule: Indian Premier League

The tournament will feature eight franchises and will run for 44 days. Each franchise will play others on a home and away basis with seven matches at home. The top four franchises in the league will contest the semi-finals and the victorious semi-finalists will meet in the final all over one weekend, to be played on June 1 in Mumbai.

All matches will be played late afternoon and evening to coincide with prime time for television and providing a convenient time for the stadium audience.