Historic $1.78 Billion Acquisition Sees RCB Change Hands
In a landmark transaction that reshapes the landscape of Indian cricket, a powerful consortium comprising the Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise. The deal, valued at a staggering $1.78 billion (approximately Rs 16,600 crore), marks the most expensive sale of an Indian Premier League team to date. The franchise is being purchased from United Spirits Ltd (USL), a subsidiary of global spirits giant Diageo Plc.
New Leadership and Ownership Structure Post-2026
The acquisition is pending customary closing conditions, including necessary approvals from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL governing council. Upon completion, a new ownership structure will be implemented after the conclusion of the 2026 IPL season. Under this new regime, Aryaman Vikram Birla, a director at the Aditya Birla Group and a former cricketer who played for Madhya Pradesh and was part of the Rajasthan Royals squad, will assume the role of RCB chairman. Satyan Gajwani, Vice Chairman of Times Internet Ltd, will serve as the vice-chairman.
The transaction underscores RCB's meteoric rise in value and prestige. United Spirits originally acquired the franchise in 2008 with a winning bid of $111.6 million (roughly Rs 485 crore) when the IPL was launched. The franchise further expanded its portfolio by acquiring a Women's Premier League (WPL) team for Rs 901 crore in 2023. RCB's on-field success has been remarkable, clinching the WPL title in 2024 and securing its maiden IPL championship in 2025, thereby becoming the first franchise to simultaneously hold both premier T20 titles.
Visionary Statements from the New Custodians
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, expressed immense enthusiasm about the acquisition. "Over the past two decades, IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket, creating enormous value for India," he stated. "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."
Satyan Gajwani echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the franchise's deep roots and fan connection. "RCB is the reigning champion and 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," he affirmed. "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 to defend RCB’s title."
Strategic Investment and Global Ambitions
David Blitzer, founder of Bolt Ventures, highlighted the unique growth opportunity presented by RCB and the IPL. "RCB has a world-class fan base, and IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport. Having invested in clubs and leagues around the world, I believe the opportunity at RCB stands out. We look forward to working alongside our partners and BCCI to build on the franchise’s championship success," he remarked.
Viral Patel, CEO of BXPE, representing Blackstone, reinforced the investment rationale. "We are excited to invest in RCB, building on Blackstone’s long-standing commitment to India. RCB stands out as one of the most popular sports franchises in the world with a powerful brand, a loyal fan base, and multiple avenues for growth. Together with our partners, we look forward to supporting the franchise’s enduring legacy and continued success," Patel added.
RCB's Storied Legacy and Market Valuation
The franchise has been home to some of T20 cricket's most iconic figures, including Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Shane Watson, Anil Kumble, Glenn Maxwell, Yuvraj Singh, and Faf du Plessis. The team's popularity skyrocketed after Virat Kohli took over as captain in 2013, with his ascent as Team India's leader and a global brand ambassador perfectly aligning with RCB's growth into one of the IPL's most-followed teams.
Recent brand valuations further cement RCB's elite status. In 2025, Brand Finance listed RCB as the IPL's second-most valuable brand after Mumbai Indians and among the three strongest IPL brands alongside Mumbai and Chennai. Concurrently, global investment bank Houlihan Lokey recognized RCB as the foremost brand within the IPL ecosystem. The acquisition attracted significant interest from other prominent bidders, including Adar Poonawalla, Ranjan Pai of Manipal Hospitals, private equity firms EQT, TPG, and Temasek, as well as the Glazer family, owners of Manchester United, underscoring the franchise's immense appeal and investment potential.
