RCB Sold for ₹16,660 Crore — Aditya Birla Group & Times of India Buy India's Biggest Cricket Brand
In one of the biggest sporting business deals India has ever seen, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been acquired for $1.78 billion — roughly ₹16,660 crore — by a high-powered consortium comprising Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and a Blackstone-backed fund. The announcement came on March 24, just four days before RCB begins its IPL 2026 title defence.
The seller, United Spirits Limited (USL) — the Indian arm of British drinks giant Diageo Plc — originally acquired the Bengaluru franchise during the IPL's inaugural 2008 season for $111.6 million (₹485 crore). The $1.78 billion exit price represents nearly a 16x return on that original investment, underscoring just how dramatically the IPL's commercial value has exploded over the past 18 years.
Who's Running RCB Now?
Aryaman Vikram Birla, son of Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla and himself a former first-class cricketer who played for Rajasthan Royals, will serve as Chairman. Satyan Gajwani of The Times of India Group takes the role of Vice-Chairman. The consortium also includes David Blitzer's Bolt Ventures — Blitzer is already a co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils — and a Blackstone-affiliated fund.
Why RCB Commands This Price
RCB's brand value has been a point of conversation for years — massive fan base, Virat Kohli, and perpetual heartbreak that turned into a cult following. In 2025, the team finally won its maiden IPL title. Brand Finance ranked RCB the second most valuable IPL brand after Mumbai Indians. Global investment bank Houlihan Lokey identified it as the foremost brand in the entire IPL ecosystem.
The deal also includes the RCB WPL franchise, adding further long-term value as women's cricket rapidly grows its commercial footprint.
The IPL Valuation Race
This deal sets a new IPL benchmark. Earlier this month, Rajasthan Royals were acquired by US entrepreneur Kal Somani — backed by Walmart heir Rob Walton and Ford family members — for $1.63 billion. Gujarat Titans were valued at ~$900 million just last year. The pace of valuation growth reflects the IPL's transformation into a genuine global sports property, backed by a $6.2 billion BCCI media rights deal signed in 2022.
Kumar Mangalam Birla called RCB "one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport" and said the group is committed to building it into a global institution while staying rooted in Bengaluru.
RCB kicks off IPL 2026 on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
