Latest news with #DrakeCurse
NDTV
6 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Rapper Drake Cashes In as RCB Clinch Historic IPL Title, A $1.3 Million Win Ends Curse
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have finally done it. After years of heartbreak, near-misses, and fan anguish, RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy in a thrilling finale that saw Virat Kohli and his men bring home the glory. But the team wasn't the only ones celebrating - global rap superstar Drake had his own reason to pop the champagne. The Canadian artist had placed a jaw-dropping $750,000 (approximately Rs 6.4 crore) bet on RCB to win the final. The wager, made through crypto-betting platform Stake, carried odds of 1.75. With RCB's emphatic victory, Drake is now set to walk away with a cool $1.3 million (around Rs 11 crore). The move was bold not just because of the amount involved, but also because of Drake's infamous history in the world of sports betting - commonly referred to as the 'Drake Curse.' The term originated from the rapper's pattern of backing teams or athletes who ended up losing - from Serena Williams and Conor McGregor to Manchester City and the Toronto Raptors (pre-2019). Betting enthusiasts and sports fans alike often joked that having Drake's support was a surefire sign of impending doom. But with RCB's win, that narrative may finally be changing. The so-called 'Drake Curse' appears to have been broken - at least in cricket. Meanwhile, on the Indian music scene, Punjabi singer and rapper Karan Aujla was backing his own home team - the Punjab Kings. His insta stories suggested that he had placed a hefty Rs 3.1 crore bet on the final. Ouch!! All we can say is better luck next time. For now, it's RCB's time in the sun - and Drake's too. Listen to the latest songs, only on
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Drake bet $750,000 on RCB to win IPL 2025, how much did he pocket from it?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Drake On a night when history was written in gold for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, it wasn't just the team and their fans celebrating. Global rap superstar Drake had his own reason to raise a toast. The Canadian artist won a staggering $1.3 million (around rupees 11 crore) after placing a daring $750,000 (approx. rupees 6.4 crore) bet on RCB to win the IPL 2025 final and they delivered. RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, finally ending an 18-year-long wait for the title. It was a nervy, emotional, and unforgettable night, one that may also have finally broken the infamous 'Drake Curse' in sport. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Asked to bat first, RCB managed a fighting total of 190/9 despite never quite shifting gears. Virat Kohli led the scoring with a gritty 43 off 35 balls, while cameos from Mayank Agarwal (24), Rajat Patidar (26), and Liam Livingstone (25) ensured the innings didn't collapse. Phil Salt's early dismissal slowed momentum, and Punjab's Kyle Jamieson applied further pressure with three crucial wickets. The death overs saw a mini fightback, with Jitesh Sharma's 24 off 10 briefly threatening to tilt the game, but RCB fell short of a par total on what remained a good batting surface. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Council or Housing Association Tenant? Check Eligibility for Compensation National Disrepair Claims Undo Arshdeep Singh ended the innings with a clinical final over, picking up three wickets and limiting RCB's acceleration. 'A particularly special feeling': Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win What followed was a tense defence. Josh Hazlewood set the tone with the early wicket of Priyansh Arya, brilliantly supported by Phil Salt's stunning boundary catch. Prabhsimran Singh (26) and Josh Inglis (39 off 23) kept Punjab alive, but regular wickets derailed their chase. Krunal Pandya 's miserly 4-0-17-2 and Romario Shepherd's prized scalp of captain Shreyas Iyer swung momentum decisively in RCB's favour. Still, Punjab fought. Shashank Singh's valiant 61* off 30 balls brought them close, needing 29 off the final over. But Hazlewood held his nerve, delivering back-to-back dot balls to end the drama. PBKS closed on 184/7 — heartbreak once again for the perennial underachievers. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? Drake's bet, placed on crypto-betting platform Stake at 1.75 odds, stood out for more than its value. Known for inadvertently jinxing athletes and teams with his public support — the so-called 'Drake Curse' — fans feared the worst for RCB after learning of the wager. From Serena Williams to Conor McGregor, teams backed by the rapper often fell just short. But on this night, cricket proved to be the exception. RCB fans may have started uneasy, but by the end, even they were thanking Drake for his faith.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Drake UK and Europe tour 2025: How to get tickets — plus Manchester's Co-Op Live seating plan
Canadian superstar Drake has officially announced his 2025 UK tour — $ome $pecial $hows 4 UK. Marking his first UK and European performances since 2019, here's everything you need to know so you don't miss out on tickets. Advertisement 3 Following on from his Wireless Festival performances, Drake will headline four nights in the UK 3 Drake will be joined by some very big name guests Credit: Getty In the summer of 2025, following on his headline appearances at the Wireless Festival in London from July 11 to 13, Drake will extend his presence in the UK with four additional tour dates. These shows will take place at two iconic venues — Birmingham's Utilita Arena and Manchester's Co-op Live: July 20, 2025 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham July 21, 2025 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham July 25, 2025 – Co-op Live, Manchester July 26, 2025 – Co-op Live, Manchester He's then going on a massive European tour: July 30, 2025 — Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands July 31 — Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands August 7, 2025 — Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium August 11, 2025 — Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland August 15, 2025 — Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany August 16, 2025 — Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany August 21, 2025 — Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden August 22, 2025 — Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden August 24, 2025 — Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark August 25, 2025 — Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark August 29, 2025 — Unipol Forum, Milan, Italy August 30, 2025 — Unipol Forum, Milan, Italy September 7, 2025 — Accor Arena, Paris, France September 8, 2025 — Accor Arena, Paris, France September 11, 2025 — Uber Arena, Berlin, Germany September 12, 2025 — Uber Arena, Berlin, Germany September 16, 2025 — Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany September 18, 2025 — Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany September 22 and 23 at Barclays Arena in Hamburg, Germany Joining him on tour is special guest PartyNextDoor, a longtime collaborator and fellow OVO Sound artist, adding extra excitement for fans. Advertisement Sharing the news on Instagram, Drake said: "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 6 YEARS, DRAKE PERFORMING THE HITS, OLD AND NEW, ACROSS THE WATERS." This announcement set the stage for what promises to be a memorable summer of music, with fans eager to secure tickets as soon as they become available. Ticket information Tickets for the $ome $pecial $hows 4 UK tour will go on general sale on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 12 pm. They will be available through major platforms including Live Nation, Ticketmaster and AXS. Advertisement Alexander Volkanovski Breaks 'Drake Curse' With UFC 314 Win To get ahead of the crowd, fans should ensure they have accounts set up on these sites before the sale begins. Presale Presale opportunities are available, starting Wednesday, June 4 at 12 pm via Live Nation, Ticketmaster, SeatUnique and AXS. There's another presale starting on Thursday, June 5 at 12 pm through SeatUnique. These presales offer fans multiple chances to grab tickets before the general public sale. Advertisement Ticket prices Ticket prices have yet to be confirmed, but are expected to align with typical arena concert pricing for an artist of Drake's caliber. For those seeking a premium experience, VIP ticket packages will be on offer. These include benefits such as faster entry through VIP entrances, premium seating in the best sections of the venue and access to hospitality lounges before and after the show, with certain VIP packages also featuring food and drinks. Fans interested in VIP tickets can register their interest via SeatUnique, which also hosts the official Co-op Live Premium Afterparty in the Hideaway, enhancing the overall concert experience. Advertisement Seating plan Manchester's Co-op Live, where Drake will perform on July 25 and 26, is one of the UK's newest and largest indoor arenas, offering state-of-the-art facilities and a flexible seating plan. 3 Manchester Co-op Live seating plan Credit: Ticket Master The venue features a large standing floor area near the stage, tiered seating in lower and upper sections, accessible seating options and VIP areas. The stage is positioned at one end, providing excellent sightlines throughout the arena. Advertisement Co-op Live is located on the Etihad Campus, approximately a 25-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station, with frequent tram services to the nearby Etihad Campus stop. On event days, Metrolink travel is often included with tickets for four hours before and after the show. Parking is available, but must be booked in advance. Top tips Don't wait until the morning of the sale to register — set up accounts with suppliers ahead of time Don't leave accounts unverified — a phone number and passcode may need to be set up Avoid assuming old accounts are active — if you already have an account, check that it's still working, your billing info is accurate and saved, and ensure you know the password Poor internet connection — ensure your internet signal is strong Low batteries — check devices you use are plugged in and/or fully charged Avoid refreshing the page while in the waiting room — ticketing sites use queuing systems where the page updates automatically, so once in the queue it's a good idea to just wait and keep your fingers crossed Drake's 2025 tour is shaping up to be a landmark event, combining his classic hits with new material and supported by PartyNextDoor. Fans should act quickly to avoid disappointment.
India Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Drake curse to hit RCB? Rapper bets on Bengaluru in IPL final vs Punjab Kings
Drake bets big on RCB. (Photo: Getty) Drake has bet Rs 76.4 crore on RCB to win the IPL final 2025 Karan Aujla has also got himself in on the auction with a bet on Punjab Kings The IPL final is scheduled for June 3 at Narendra Modi Stadium Popular rap artist Drake placed a mega bet on Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the team's Indian Premier League final 2025 against Punjab Kings. RCB are set to take on PBKS in the summit clash of the tournament, at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, June 3. Drake, known across the world for his peppy songs, has reportedly placed a staggering Rs 76.4 crore bet on the team to lift the trophy on Tuesday. The Canadian superstar has placed his wager through a crypto-betting platform called Stake. He can walk away with a potential payout of Rs 112 crore if RCB clinches the title. Courtesy: X Meanwhile, Punjabi singer and rapper Karan Aujla is backing his home team, the Punjab Kings. He has put Rs 24.2 crore wager on the final match. If Punjab Kings take the win, Aujla could walk away with Rs 28.1 crore approximately. Courtesy: Instagram IPL Final 2025, RCB vs PBKS: Match Preview THE DRAKE CURSE This is not the first time that Drake is betting on a particular team or player in a big event. Over the years, the "Drake Curse" has become one of the most talked-about superstitions in the world of sports â€' especially in the context of betting. Named after the Canadian rapper Drake, the phenomenon refers to a string of high-profile athletes and teams losing crucial games after publicly associating with him. It started as a social media joke but gained traction when several athletes â€' from Serena Williams to Conor McGregor and teams like PSG and the Toronto Raptors â€' suffered unexpected defeats shortly after appearing in photos or videos with Drake. Whether it was a selfie, a meet-and-greet, or Drake simply wearing their jersey, the pattern appeared uncanny. More recently, the curse has evolved beyond just appearances. With Drake frequently placing massive public bets on major sporting events through online sportsbooks, fans and bettors alike have started tracking the outcomes. In several cases â€' including UFC fights and major football matches â€' the teams or athletes he backs have ended up losing, fueling the myth even further. Of course, from a rational standpoint, the "curse" is nothing more than coincidence. Drake is one of the most famous people in the world, and he associates with top-tier athletes â€' naturally, many of them are bound to lose at some point. But in the emotionally charged world of sports betting, narratives matter. When someone places a high-stakes bet and Drake backs the same side, the reaction online is often panic and memes â€' not celebration. Whether it's real or just superstition, the Drake Curse continues to be a cultural phenomenon. For some punters, it's even become part of their decision-making â€' betting against the team Drake supports, just in case the 'curse' strikes again. SPORTS BETTING IN INDIA Online sports betting in India exists in a legal grey area. The central law, the Public Gambling Act of 1867, prohibits running or visiting gambling houses but does not specifically address online betting or sports wagers, leaving the regulation of online betting largely up to individual states. As a result, while some states like Sikkim and Goa permit certain forms of betting, most others maintain strict restrictions or outright bans, especially on online gambling. Indian citizens can technically access and use international online betting platforms like Stake, as there is no explicit law prohibiting individuals from doing so, except in states such as Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which have specifically banned all forms of online gambling. However, in the absence of a central law, the overall legal framework still remains ambiguous. Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment! Popular rap artist Drake placed a mega bet on Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the team's Indian Premier League final 2025 against Punjab Kings. RCB are set to take on PBKS in the summit clash of the tournament, at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, June 3. Drake, known across the world for his peppy songs, has reportedly placed a staggering Rs 76.4 crore bet on the team to lift the trophy on Tuesday. The Canadian superstar has placed his wager through a crypto-betting platform called Stake. He can walk away with a potential payout of Rs 112 crore if RCB clinches the title. Courtesy: X Meanwhile, Punjabi singer and rapper Karan Aujla is backing his home team, the Punjab Kings. He has put Rs 24.2 crore wager on the final match. If Punjab Kings take the win, Aujla could walk away with Rs 28.1 crore approximately. Courtesy: Instagram IPL Final 2025, RCB vs PBKS: Match Preview THE DRAKE CURSE This is not the first time that Drake is betting on a particular team or player in a big event. Over the years, the "Drake Curse" has become one of the most talked-about superstitions in the world of sports â€' especially in the context of betting. Named after the Canadian rapper Drake, the phenomenon refers to a string of high-profile athletes and teams losing crucial games after publicly associating with him. It started as a social media joke but gained traction when several athletes â€' from Serena Williams to Conor McGregor and teams like PSG and the Toronto Raptors â€' suffered unexpected defeats shortly after appearing in photos or videos with Drake. Whether it was a selfie, a meet-and-greet, or Drake simply wearing their jersey, the pattern appeared uncanny. More recently, the curse has evolved beyond just appearances. With Drake frequently placing massive public bets on major sporting events through online sportsbooks, fans and bettors alike have started tracking the outcomes. In several cases â€' including UFC fights and major football matches â€' the teams or athletes he backs have ended up losing, fueling the myth even further. Of course, from a rational standpoint, the "curse" is nothing more than coincidence. Drake is one of the most famous people in the world, and he associates with top-tier athletes â€' naturally, many of them are bound to lose at some point. But in the emotionally charged world of sports betting, narratives matter. When someone places a high-stakes bet and Drake backs the same side, the reaction online is often panic and memes â€' not celebration. Whether it's real or just superstition, the Drake Curse continues to be a cultural phenomenon. For some punters, it's even become part of their decision-making â€' betting against the team Drake supports, just in case the 'curse' strikes again. SPORTS BETTING IN INDIA Online sports betting in India exists in a legal grey area. The central law, the Public Gambling Act of 1867, prohibits running or visiting gambling houses but does not specifically address online betting or sports wagers, leaving the regulation of online betting largely up to individual states. As a result, while some states like Sikkim and Goa permit certain forms of betting, most others maintain strict restrictions or outright bans, especially on online gambling. Indian citizens can technically access and use international online betting platforms like Stake, as there is no explicit law prohibiting individuals from doing so, except in states such as Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which have specifically banned all forms of online gambling. However, in the absence of a central law, the overall legal framework still remains ambiguous. Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment! Join our WhatsApp Channel
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025: Will Drake's Rs 6.4 crore bet break the RCB curse? All eyes on the key clash at Narendra Modi Stadium
In a move that's drawn global eyes to cricket's grand finale, Canadian rapper Drake has staked $750,000 on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to win their maiden IPL title. Revealing the bet on Instagram, he used RCB's war cry 'Ee sala cup namde' while tagging crypto-betting platform Stake. With over a billion dollars wagered this season, his high-stakes gamble has reignited talk of the infamous 'Drake Curse'—but fans now wonder if this time, luck might finally be on RCB's side. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' goes global Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads RCB vs PBKS: Two teams, one elusive dream The big stakes and bigger celebrities Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) takes centre stage on Tuesday night at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, global attention has shifted sharply—thanks to a staggering bet placed by Canadian rap superstar the eve of the match, the Grammy-winning artist took to Instagram to announce a $750,000 wager on RCB to lift their first-ever IPL trophy. Placed via the crypto-based sports betting platform Stake, the bet carries odds of 1.75, meaning Drake stands to win $1,312,500 (roughly ₹11 crore) if RCB triumphs.'Ee sala cup namde,' the rapper wrote in his Instagram story, echoing RCB's well-known slogan. It translates from Kannada to 'This year, the cup is ours.'This is Drake's second foray into IPL betting. In 2024, he made waves by backing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their final against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He then captioned his bet with the KKR chant, 'Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo.' KKR went on to win the title, temporarily silencing concerns around what fans have dubbed the 'Drake Curse'—a phenomenon where the teams he supports often end up streak, however, hasn't always gone his way. Last year, alongside his KKR bet, he also backed the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup and the Dallas Mavericks for the NBA Finals—both teams suffered losses. The pattern has fuelled debate across sporting communities, with some fans worried that Drake's bet might jinx RCB's user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, 'Drake bet 6 crores on RCB lol, PBKS has chances of winning it.' Another posted, 'Thank you for supporting RCB, Drake bhai! Now all the PBKS fans like me can sleep peacefully.'Still, others remained hopeful. 'RCB so strong they're breaking the Drake curse as well,' one user franchises are eyeing their first-ever IPL crown. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar and driven by Virat Kohli 's blistering form—over 600 runs this season—enter the final as slight favourites. They qualified after defeating PBKS in Qualifier 1, adding weight to their title captained by Shreyas Iyer, punched their ticket with a five-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. Iyer's 87 off 41 balls sealed the deal, making him the first captain to take three different teams to an IPL were last in a final in 2016, when Kohli had amassed a record-breaking 973 runs in the season, but the trophy has remained elusive. PBKS, meanwhile, return to the final stage for the first time since 2014. For both, it's a shot at year's IPL season has reportedly generated over a billion dollars in global bets, highlighting cricket's surging commercial appeal. With millions riding on match outcomes, every delivery becomes a high-stakes moment—not just for teams, but also for punters endorsement deal with Stake has played a pivotal role in promoting crypto-betting globally. Initially reported by the Financial Times to be worth $100,000 a year in 2022, Pitchfork now estimates the rapper earns around $100 million annually through the platform. His betting slips—across sports like football, basketball, and now cricket—often go viral, expanding his influence well beyond IPL 2025 final is expected to draw celebrities and cricketing icons alike. Preity Zinta, owner of PBKS, will likely be present. Bollywood stars, including Anushka Sharma—wife of Kohli—and others are expected to attend the sold-out event at the 125,000-capacity or not Drake's bet pays off, his involvement has amplified global buzz around the IPL. For Indian fans, his gesture marks a rare cultural crossover: a North American rapper chanting in Kannada, and betting big on a sport still growing in global the floodlights blaze and fans chant 'Ee sala cup namde' across the stadium, RCB's fate—and Drake's million-dollar gamble—will be decided in 40 overs or less. For now, the world watches.
