IPL 2026: RCB bought for USD 1.78 billion in historic deal by Aditya Birla Group and 3 other partners

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have a new owner and the scale of the deal reflects just how far this franchise has travelled.

The deal, confirmed on Tuesday, involves the signing of a definitive agreement with United Spirits Limited, a subsidiary of UK-Diageo plc, to acquire a 100 percent stake in RCB covering both the men's and women's teams across the IPL and WPL.

IPL 2026: Who the new owners of RCB are and how the structure works

The reigning IPL champions have been acquired by a consortium of four groups, Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone's perpetual private equity strategy, in a transaction valued at USD 1.78 billion, approximately INR 16,706 crore.

The consortium brings together some of the most significant names in Indian business and global sport. Aryaman Vikram Birla, director of the Aditya Birla Group, will serve as chairman of the franchise, while Satyan Gajwani of The Times of India Group takes the vice chairman role.

David Blitzer, founder of Bolt Ventures and a well-known figure in global sports investment, and Viral Patel, CEO of Blackstone's BXPE strategy, complete the ownership group. The takeover remains subject to approval from the BCCI, the Competition Commission of India, and other applicable regulatory authorities before it is formally completed.

Also READ: Here's why RCB are keeping 11 seats empty forever at Chinnaswamy ahead of IPL 2026

What the new owners have said ahead of IPL 2026

The statements from the new ownership group were uniformly ambitious in tone. Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, described RCB as "one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport" and spoke of the acquisition as a platform to extend the group's legacy of institution-building into global sport.

Gajwani was direct about the ambition, "RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. Together with our partners, we will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase."

Blitzer brought the perspective of someone who has invested in clubs and leagues around the world, "Having invested in clubs and leagues around the world, I believe the opportunity at RCB stands out."

Aryaman Birla, who takes the chairman's seat, framed it as a privilege, "This partnership brings together a deep understanding of sports, media and consumer businesses. Together, we will continue to Play Bold, on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is."

What the valuation says about where the IPL stands

A sale price of USD 1.78 billion for a franchise that spent years as one of the IPL's most popular but least successful sides, and won their first title only last season, is a statement about the current value of IPL franchises as much as it is about RCB specifically.

The timing of the deal, announced on the eve of the IPL 2026 season opener in which RCB defend their title against SunRisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28, gives the new ownership group an immediate stage to announce themselves to the fanbase.

Whether the consortium's ambitions to build RCB into a global sporting institution translate into sustained success on the field is a question that starts being answered this Saturday.