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 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
| 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 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.
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
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.
Learn more about how franchise-based cricket leagues operate on Wikipedia’s Indian Premier League page.
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 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
For more IPL 2026 team previews and analysis, head over to technosports.co.in.
