The Aditya Birla Group, along with partners, has acquired the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a landmark deal in Indian cricket valued at $1.78 billion.
Key moments
In a landmark development for Indian cricket, the Aditya Birla Group, in collaboration with The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone, has 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 RCB the most expensive franchise sold in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The acquisition comes after a strategic review initiated by United Spirits in November 2025, which aimed to refocus its efforts on its core beverage business. The deal not only includes full ownership of RCB but also encompasses the Women’s Premier League (WPL) team, further solidifying the consortium’s commitment to expanding its footprint in Indian sports.
Following the acquisition, Aryaman Vikram Birla is set to take on the role of RCB chairman, while Satyan Gajwani will serve as vice-chairman. Both leaders expressed their enthusiasm about the acquisition, with Aryaman stating, “It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB.” This sentiment reflects a broader vision for the franchise, which has a rich history in the IPL.
RCB, known for its passionate fanbase, has had a tumultuous journey in the IPL, having secured only two titles in its 18 years of existence. Despite this, the franchise remains a compelling entity in modern sports, as highlighted by Kumar Mangalam Birla, who noted, “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.”
The acquisition is currently subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL governing council. The consortium has expressed pride in becoming custodians of RCB and is committed to taking the team to greater heights. David Blitzer, a representative from the consortium, remarked, “RCB has a world-class fanbase, and the IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport.”
In terms of financial history, United Spirits had initially acquired RCB in 2008 for $111.6 million (approximately ₹485 crore). This new valuation reflects the explosive growth of the IPL, which is pegged at a total value of USD 18.5 billion according to investment bank Houlihan Lokey. The significant increase in RCB’s valuation underscores the franchise’s potential and the lucrative nature of cricket in India.
As the dust settles on this monumental deal, the cricketing community awaits further developments. The consortium’s commitment to investing in RCB is seen as a positive step towards enhancing the franchise’s competitive edge in the IPL. 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.” This acquisition marks a new chapter for RCB and Indian cricket as a whole.
