In a landmark development for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Aditya Birla Group, in collaboration with The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone, has successfully acquired 100% of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from United Spirits Ltd. This acquisition, announced on March 25, 2026, is valued at an astonishing US$1.78 billion (approximately ₹16,660 crore), making it the most expensive IPL franchise sold to date.
The deal not only marks a significant financial milestone but also positions the new consortium to take RCB to greater heights in the competitive landscape of global sports. Aryaman Vikram Birla has been appointed as the chairman of RCB, with Satyan Gajwani serving as vice-chairman. Their leadership is expected to steer the franchise towards a new era of success, especially given RCB’s rich history and passionate fanbase.
The acquisition comes after United Spirits initiated a strategic review of its holding in RCB in November 2025, allowing the beverage giant to refocus on its core business. The consortium expressed pride in becoming the custodians of RCB, highlighting their commitment to enhancing the team’s performance and expanding its reach. This includes full ownership of both the IPL and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) teams.
As the IPL continues to grow, with its total value pegged at USD 18.5 billion according to investment bank Houlihan Lokey, the acquisition of RCB is seen as a pivotal moment. Kumar Mangalam Birla remarked, “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.” This sentiment underscores the strategic importance of the acquisition.
In the context of RCB’s history, the franchise was initially acquired by United Spirits in 2008 for a winning bid of $111.6 million (approximately ₹485 crore). Over the years, RCB has become synonymous with high-stakes cricket, despite having won only two titles in its 18-year history. The new owners are expected to leverage this legacy while injecting fresh investment and innovative strategies.
In the wake of the acquisition, reactions from industry leaders have been overwhelmingly positive. David Blitzer noted, “RCB has a world-class fanbase, and the IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport.” Meanwhile, Viral Patel from Blackstone expressed excitement about the investment, stating, “We are excited to invest in RCB, building on Blackstone’s long-standing commitment to India.” Such endorsements reflect confidence in the franchise’s potential for future growth.
However, the acquisition is still subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL governing council. As the consortium awaits formal approval, the cricketing community watches closely, eager to see how this new chapter unfolds for RCB and the IPL at large. Details remain unconfirmed.
