BREAKING: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Sold for Record USD 1.78 Billion to Aditya Birla-Led Consortium
New Delhi | March 25, 2026
In the biggest franchise sale in cricket history, a consortium consisting of Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, the US-based Bolt Ventures, and global investment firm Blackstone has acquired Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a staggering USD 1.78 billion (approximately INR 16,706 crore), making it the most expensive franchise sale in cricket history.
The definitive agreement was signed with United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of UK-based Diageo plc, on Tuesday, with the consortium acquiring a 100 per cent equity stake in the franchise — including its Indian Premier League and Women’s Premier League teams.
The Sale That Broke All Records
The all-cash deal exceeds the combined value of the Lucknow and Ahmedabad IPL franchises — INR 12,715 crore (about USD 1.69 billion) — that the BCCI sold for in 2021. It also surpasses the recent USD 1.63 billion sale of the Rajasthan Royals, setting a new benchmark for cricket franchise valuations.
Diageo-led United Spirits had originally been aiming for a USD 2 billion sale, but the final deal was sealed at USD 1.78 billion — still the largest sum ever paid for a cricket franchise.
For context, the sale follows RCB’s maiden IPL triumph last year, after which United Spirits filed a disclosure and initiated a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd, signalling a potential full or partial exit from the team.
Who Are the New Owners?
The four-member consortium brings together heavyweights from Indian industry, global media, and international private equity.
Aditya Birla Group, led by Kumar Mangalam Birla, is marking the conglomerate’s first major foray into sports ownership. The Times of India Group provides a massive media and commercial platform. Bolt Ventures is led by American sports investor David Blitzer, co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils. And Blackstone — the world’s largest private equity firm — is participating through its perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE.
Kumar Mangalam Birla said in a statement that the IPL has morphed into a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket, and that RCB offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport.
Aryaman Birla to Lead as Chairman
Following the conclusion of the 2026 IPL season, the franchise will transition to its new leadership structure. Aryaman Vikram Birla, Director at Aditya Birla Group and a former professional cricketer himself, will serve as Chairman, while Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group will take on the role of Vice-Chairman.
Aryaman Birla led the bid process, with his deep understanding of the game and experience within the cricketing ecosystem playing a key role in shaping the consortium’s acquisition strategy. The younger Birla had previously represented Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018 before stepping back from cricket in 2019.
RCB Enters New Era as Defending Champions
The timing of the takeover is significant. The team enters the 2026 season as the defending IPL champions, having won their maiden title in 2025, and as two-time WPL winners.
The acquisition is currently awaiting standard regulatory approvals from the BCCI and the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The official handover is expected to be finalised after the 2026 edition of the IPL, allowing the current management to oversee the team’s title defence.
USL’s outgoing management struck an optimistic note. Guided by its ‘Play Bold’ philosophy and a strong competitive spirit, RCB has built a globally recognised brand and a passionate fanbase, and the new ownership represents the best interest of the franchise and its stakeholders.
What It Means for the IPL
Analysts say the deal signals a turning point for how IPL franchises are valued globally. The sale highlights the rapid surge in franchise valuations and the growing appetite of global investors for a stake in India’s most-watched cricket competition. With Blackstone making its first-ever sports team investment and David Blitzer extending his multi-continent sports portfolio to include Indian cricket, the RCB deal marks the IPL’s arrival as a truly global-grade investment asset class.
For millions of fans in Bengaluru and around the world, however, one thing remains unchanged — the red-and-gold jersey, and the unwavering belief that this time, RCB will go all the way.
