# RCB Sold for ₹16,660 Crore! Aditya Birla, Times of India & Blackstone Consortium Takes Over IPL’s Most Popular Franchise

URL: https://technosports.co.in/rcb-sold-for-16660-crore-aditya-birla/  
Published: 2026-03-25  
Updated: 2026-03-25  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

The IPL just witnessed its biggest ownership shake-up ever. Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been acquired by a consortium of Indian and overseas business entities for an eye-watering ₹16,660 crore (approximately USD 1.78 billion) in an all-cash deal. [The Assam Tribune](https://assamtribune.com/business/swiggy-raises-platform-fee-by-17-to-rs-1758-per-order-1609770) This is more than just a business transaction — it’s a seismic moment for Indian cricket.

## Who Bought RCB? Meet the Power-Packed Consortium

The four-group consortium has signed a definitive agreement with United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of UK-based Diageo plc, to buy 100% stake in RCB — covering both the IPL and WPL franchises. [Entrackr](https://entrackr.com/news/swiggy-follows-zomato-hikes-platform-fee-by-17-to-rs-1758-11258272)

| Partner | Role | Known For |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Aditya Birla Group** | Lead Acquirer | India’s largest conglomerate, 40+ countries |
| **Times of India Group** | Co-investor | India’s biggest media empire |
| **Bolt Ventures (David Blitzer)** | Co-investor | Owns stakes in NBA, NFL, EPL clubs |
| **Blackstone (BXPE)** | Co-investor | World’s largest private equity firm |

Under the new ownership structure, ABG Director Aryaman Vikram Birla will serve as Chairman, with Satyan Gajwani of the TOI Group as Vice-Chairman.

## Why Did Diageo Sell RCB?

Diageo, which owns USL in India, sold RCB as part of its strategy to divest non-core assets and refocus on its core alcohol business. [The Tribune](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/after-zomato-swiggy-hikes-platform-fee-by-17-pc-to-rs-17-58-per-order) The sale process began in November 2025, when United Spirits initiated a strategic review, with Diageo originally targeting a $2 billion valuation — but the deal was finally sealed at $1.78 billion.

![RCB](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/rrscsc-1024x677.jpg)
***EDS: THIRD PARTY IMAGE** In this image received on March 23, 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli during a practice session ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (RCB via PTI Photo) (PTI03_23_2026_000222B)*

## How Big Is This Deal, Really?

The deal value exceeds the combined price of the Lucknow and Ahmedabad IPL franchises — sold for INR 12,715 crore in 2021 — making this the most expensive franchise transaction in IPL history. [The Assam Tribune](https://assamtribune.com/business/swiggy-raises-platform-fee-by-17-to-rs-1758-per-order-1609770)

A 2025 report by US investment bank Houlihan Lokey values the entire IPL business at $18.5 billion, with the brand alone worth $3.9 billion.

For more on IPL’s explosive growth story, check out our in-depth cricket coverage at [technosports.co.in](https://technosports.co.in).

Learn more about how franchise-based cricket leagues operate on [Wikipedia’s Indian Premier League page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Premier_League).

## From ₹111 Crore to ₹16,660 Crore — RCB’s Value Journey

RCB was originally bought by Vijay Mallya for $111.6 million during the IPL’s inaugural season in 2008. [Business Standard](https://www.business-standard.com/markets/news/swiggy-share-price-rises-4-on-platform-fee-hike-announcement-126032500225_1.html) The franchise has since grown nearly **16x** in value — a testament to the IPL’s rise as a global sporting powerhouse.

RCB is also the first franchise to simultaneously hold both the IPL and WPL titles, adding significant commercial weight to this acquisition. [Business Standard](https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/swiggy-hikes-platform-fee-to-rs-17-58-after-zomato-increase-126032400751_1.html)

For more IPL 2026 team previews and analysis, head over to [technosports.co.in](https://technosports.co.in/category/cricket).

## ❓ FAQs

### **Q: Who are the new owners of RCB after the 2025 sale?**

 RCB has been acquired by a consortium of Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone for ₹16,660 crore — the biggest IPL franchise deal ever.

### **Q: Will Virat Kohli stay at RCB under the new ownership?**

 No official statement has been made yet, but Kohli remains central to RCB’s identity and fan base, making his continued association highly likely.