RCB sold for USD 1.78 billion to consortium comprising Aditya Birla Group, Times of India

By Admin

25 Mar, 2026

In one of the biggest franchise deals in cricket history, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been sold for a staggering USD 1.78 billion (approximately INR 16,660 crore). The all-cash transaction was announced by United Spirits Limited (USL), marking a major shift in ownership for one of the most popular teams in global T20 cricket. The new owners are a powerful consortium comprising the Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE.

Both Men's and Women's Teams Now Under New Ownership

Following the deal, both the men's and women's RCB teams will now be "owned and operated" by the consortium. Previously, the teams were managed by Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, a subsidiary of USL. This unified ownership signals a strong commitment to developing both squads and expanding the RCB brand across formats.

Record-Breaking Franchise Valuation

The USD 1.78 billion price tag highlights the enormous commercial value of the RCB brand. The valuation surpasses the combined INR 12,715 crore (about USD 1.69 billion) paid for the Lucknow and Ahmedabad franchises in 2021. This milestone underscores the growing global appeal of franchise-based cricket and the premium attached to established teams with strong fan bases.

RCB has long been a flagship franchise, being one of the original eight teams when the IPL launched in 2008. At the time, it was bought for USD 111.6 million by Vijay Mallya-owned United Breweries Group. The franchise continued expanding, with owners also purchasing the Bengaluru team in the Women's Premier League in 2023 for INR 901 crore (around USD 110 million).

Strategic Exit by Diageo and USL

Global beverage giant Diageo, which owns USL, had previously announced a strategic review of its RCB investment. Cricket was deemed a non-core business, and the company aimed to finalize the sale by March 31. With this transaction, USL exits after building RCB into one of the most commercially successful franchises in both the IPL and WPL.

Praveen Someshwar, Managing Director and CEO at USL, stated that RCB has evolved into a globally recognized brand with a passionate fan base. He expressed confidence that the franchise would continue to grow under the new ownership.

Leadership Structure of the New Consortium

The acquiring consortium has appointed Aryaman Birla as Chairman and Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group as Vice-Chairman. The group described itself as proud custodians of RCB and emphasized its commitment to taking the franchise to new heights, both on and off the field.

Strong Investor Line-up

The consortium brings together diverse and influential investors. The Aditya Birla Group is a global conglomerate with interests spanning metals, cement, retail, and fashion. Bolt Ventures, led by sports investor David Blitzer, holds stakes in multiple international teams across major leagues. Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager, while the Times of India Group is one of India’s biggest media houses with sports investments across leagues.

Next Steps Before Final Takeover

The deal now awaits approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Competition Commission of India. Once ratified, the consortium will formally take charge of the franchise.

A New Era for RCB

The consortium highlighted RCB’s championship-winning culture, strong connection to Bengaluru, and passionate global fan base as key reasons for the acquisition. With fresh capital, experienced leadership, and global sports expertise, RCB is expected to enter a new growth phase.

As franchise cricket continues to expand, this landmark deal reinforces the immense commercial potential of the sport and sets a new benchmark for team valuations worldwide.