Snapchat adds new tools to help brands tap into India’s cricket season

03/09/26
Source: Social Media Today – Latest News by Andrew Hutchinson. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Snapchat Launches Cricket in a Snap Ad Tools to Engage India’s Cricket Fans

Snapchat introduces Cricket in a Snap, a suite of innovative ad options designed to capitalize on cricket’s soaring popularity within the app, especially in India. These tools include live score updates, AR fan zones, branded lenses, and partnerships with top cricket teams and creators. With over 250 million India-based users and 90% of users engaging as second-screen viewers during matches, Snapchat offers brands a prime opportunity to connect with cricket enthusiasts through immersive and interactive content.

Optimixed’s Overview: How Snapchat’s New Cricket Ad Features Are Revolutionizing Fan Engagement in India

Introduction to Snapchat’s Cricket-Centric Advertising Innovations

Snapchat has unveiled a comprehensive set of advertising tools under the Cricket in a Snap banner, aimed at helping brands harness the app’s growing cricket fanbase in India. As cricket cements itself as the most popular sport on Snapchat, these features are tailored to enhance live match engagement and brand visibility through cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) and real-time data integration.

Key Features of the Cricket in a Snap Toolkit

  • Live Sports API: Allows AR creators to embed live cricket scores and updates directly into branded Lenses, providing dynamic and real-time content for users.
  • AR Fan Zones: Immersive experiences such as Locker Room and Nets Practice that fans can explore; these zones are sponsored by brands and feature official content from major Indian Premier League teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
  • Surface Tracking: Enables brands to anchor AR effects to physical surfaces such as stadium turf, delivering an immersive experience for fans attending matches in person.
  • AR Bar Branded Lenses and Post Capture Stickers: Interactive overlays and stickers linked to cricket events that users can add to their Snaps, with brand sponsorships tailored by location and event.
  • Brands x Snap Stars Collaborations: Partnerships with Snapchat creators for authentic, hashtag-driven content that aligns with the creators’ voices, encouraging organic fan participation.

The Strategic Impact for Brands and Fans

With Snapchat reporting a milestone of over 250 million users in India, and data showing that more than 90% of Snapchat users engage as second-screen viewers during cricket matches, the platform has become a vital hub for live cricket conversations. This dual-screen culture creates unique opportunities for brands to reach highly engaged audiences through interactive and social content rather than traditional advertising alone.

By integrating official team content and expert analysis from broadcasters such as JioStar, Snapchat not only amplifies fan engagement but also offers brands credible and relevant touchpoints during the cricket season. The blend of live data, AR technology, and influencer collaborations positions Snapchat as a leader in sports-related digital advertising within the Indian market.