Royal Challengers Bengaluru are about to begin their title defence as a franchise on the cusp of a new ownership era — and the price tag on their sale has made IPL history.

The Biggest Deal in IPL History

A consortium led by Aditya Birla Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Royal Challengers Bengaluru — both the men’s and women’s teams — for $1.78 billion, which works out to approximately Rs 16,916 crore. The deal with United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of UK-based Diageo plc, makes RCB the most expensive IPL franchise ever sold.

The consortium includes:

  • Aditya Birla Group — led by Aryaman Vikram Birla, son of industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla

  • Times of India Group — represented by Satyan Gajwani, chairman of Times Internet Limited

  • Bolt Ventures — the sports investment firm of American billionaire David Blitzer

  • Blackstone — the US-based global private equity and investment giant

What the New Owners Said

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, captured the weight of the moment.

“Over the past two decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket, creating enormous value for India. 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.”

Satyan Gajwani of TOI Group made clear what they intend to protect.

“RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. We will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase. We are committed to the people who built this championship-winning culture — the players, coaches, the leadership team, and the fans.”

Post-IPL 2026, Aryaman Vikram Birla will serve as chairman of the franchise, with Satyan Gajwani as vice-chairman.

From Vijay Mallya to Rs 16,900 Crore

The journey of RCB’s ownership is one of the most dramatic in cricket franchise history.

Year

Owner

Price

2008

Vijay Mallya (United Spirits)

$111.6 million (~Rs 476 crore)

2012

Diageo (via USL majority stake)

Inherited through acquisition

2016

USL/Diageo (full control post-Mallya exit)

—

2026

Aditya Birla-led consortium

$1.78 billion (~Rs 16,916 crore)

Mallya originally bought the franchise for just $111.6 million in 2008. Diageo took over control when it acquired a majority stake in United Spirits in 2012, and in 2016, after Mallya stepped down as director amid legal troubles, Diageo assumed full operational control. In late 2025, USL announced it had begun a strategic review to exit the investment, setting a March 31, 2026 deadline to complete the sale.

The deal is subject to BCCI and IPL Governing Council approval. Once cleared — expected by September 2026 — the new owners will take formal charge after the current season ends.

What It Means for the IPL

The $1.78 billion price tag surpasses the RR deal completed days earlier and reflects an extraordinary growth curve — RCB’s value has grown roughly 15 times from what Mallya paid in 2008. For Bengaluru’s enormous fanbase, the message from the new consortium is straightforward: the culture stays, the city stays at the heart of it, and the ambition only goes up.