The DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday announced “Kingfisher Airlines” as the official umpire partner for the Twenty20 cricket. The company has signed the deal worth Rs 106 crores for a five-year period.

Under the agreement, Kingfisher Airlines will receive branding on the umpires’ uniform including their shirts and hats during the tournament along with several other activation opportunities around the property.

Further, Kinfisher Airlines will also sponsor all third umpire decisions during the 59 matches staring April 18.

In a separate release, DLF-IPL has chosen Pepsi Co India as the official beverage supplier for IPL in a deal worth $12.5 million for a five-year period.

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 IPL tournament will feature eight competing teams, which includes Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mohali, Kolkata and Jaipur.

Under the tournament, 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.

The tournament will run for 44 days and all matches will be telecast live on SET Max.