In an eye-popping deal, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been sold for USD 1.78 billion (approximately ₹16,600 crore) to a powerful consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group and the Times of India Group, making it one of the most expensive deals in franchise history.
cricket. The acquisition also includes participation from global investment firm Blackstone and sports-focused investor Bolt Ventures. The deal involves the complete acquisition of RCB from United Spirits Limited, a subsidiary of global liquor giant Diageo, which had earlier labelled the franchise as a “non-core” asset.
Notably, the acquisition covers both the men’s IPL team and the women’s team in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), making it a comprehensive sports investment. The deal is currently subject to regulatory approvals from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and competition authorities.
"Over the past two decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket creating enormous value for India. RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport. We are delighted to become custodians of this asset and committed to further building this extraordinary legacy," Kumar Mangalam Birla, the Aditya Birla Group's chairman said in a statement.
"It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB. This partnership brings together a deep understanding of sports, media and consumer businesses. Together, we will continue to Play Bold - on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is," Aryaman Birla said.
Notably, RCB’s soaring valuation is rooted in both on-field success and brand power. The franchise recently achieved a historic milestone by winning their first IPL title in 2025, after years of near misses. Moreover, RCB’s valuation has skyrocketed over the years, from around $111 million in 2008 to nearly $1.8 billion in 2026.
"RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. As The Times of India Group, together with our partners, we will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase. We are committed to the people who built this championship-winning culture - the players, coaches, the leadership team, and the fans. We look forward to supporting the team as they take the pitch on Saturday to defend RCB's title," Satyan Gajwani of Times Internet Limited said.