In one of the biggest franchise deals in Indian Premier League history, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have officially changed hands. But before panic set in among the passionate RCB faithful, a swift and reassuring confirmation came through — the name is staying exactly as it is. Here’s the full breakdown of this seismic development. Stay tuned for all IPL 2026 franchise news on TechnoSports.
RCB Ownership Change: Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Previous Owner | Diageo |
| New Owners | Aditya Birla Group, Blackstone & Bolt Ventures (David Blitzer) |
| Sale Price | $1.78 billion (approx. ₹16,705 crore) |
| Takeover Deadline | March 31, 2026 |
| BCCI Approval Timeline | Expected at AGM — October 2026 |
| Name Change? | No — remains Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Covers | Both IPL & WPL franchises |
The Big Question — Will RCB Change Their Name?
Reports confirmed after the sale that the new ownership wouldn’t change the name of the franchise. Addressing these rumours directly, Ananya Birla — daughter of Kumar Mangalam Birla — confirmed on Instagram that RCB will not be changing their name in the IPL or WPL, and will continue as Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the name adopted in 2024 when it was updated to align with the city’s name.
This is massive news for the fanbase. Name changes have happened before in the IPL — Kings XI Punjab became Punjab Kings, and Delhi Daredevils rebranded to Delhi Capitals — so the anxiety was completely understandable.
Who Are the New RCB Owners?
A consortium of Kumar Mangalam’s Aditya Birla Group, Blackstone, and David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures acquired the franchise for $1.78 billion (approximately ₹16,705 crore) from Diageo, covering both the men’s and women’s teams.
This is one of India’s most powerful business conglomerates taking over one of cricket’s most iconic brands. The combination of Birla Group’s deep Indian roots, Blackstone’s global investment muscle, and Blitzer’s sports franchise experience makes this a genuinely exciting new chapter for the team. For all IPL franchise news and updates, visit TechnoSports.
When Does the Official Transfer Happen?
RCB had set March 31 as the deadline for the takeover, but the transfer cannot be completed until the BCCI approves the sale at its Annual General Meeting. Since last year’s BCCI AGM took place on September 28 in Mumbai, the consortium may have to wait until October 2026 to formally take over from Diageo. Filmibeat
So for IPL 2026, Diageo technically remains the owner on paper — but the Birla-led consortium is firmly in charge of direction.
