A consortium comprising Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has agreed to acquire 100% of Royal Challengers Bengaluru from United Spirits Limited in a transaction valuing the franchise at INR 166.6 billion, approximately $1.78 billion.
The deal includes both the men’s team competing in the Indian Premier League and the women’s team in the Women’s Premier League. The acquisition remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, including from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Competition Commission of India.
Under the new ownership structure, Aryaman Vikram Birla will serve as Chairman of the franchise, while Satyan Gajwani will serve as Vice Chairman.
The transaction marks a strategic shift for United Spirits, a subsidiary of Diageo, as it sharpens its focus on its core beverage alcohol business. It also highlights continued institutional investor interest in cricket assets, driven by the commercial success and global growth of the IPL ecosystem.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru is one of the most prominent franchises in global cricket, having won its first IPL title in 2025 and holding both IPL and Women’s Premier League titles simultaneously. The franchise has built a strong global brand and a large, loyal fan base, contributing to its premium valuation.
KEY QUOTES:
“Over the past 2 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. We are delighted to become custodians of this asset and committed to further building this extraordinary legacy.”
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group
“RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. As The Times of India Group, together with our partners, 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. We look forward to supporting the team as they take the pitch on Saturday to defend RCB’s title.”
Satyan Gajwani, Chairman, Times Internet Limited
“RCB has a world-class fanbase, and the IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport. Having invested in clubs and leagues around the world, I believe the opportunity at RCB stands out. We look forward to working alongside our partners and the BCCI to build on the franchise’s championship success.”
David Blitzer, Founder, Bolt Ventures
“We are excited to invest in RCB, building on Blackstone’s long-standing commitment to India. RCB stands out as one of the most popular sports franchises in the world with a powerful brand, a loyal fan base, and multiple avenues for growth. Together with our partners, we look forward to supporting the franchise’s enduring legacy and continued success.”
Viral Patel, Chief Executive Officer, BXPE
“It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB. 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.”
Aryaman Vikram Birla, Director, Aditya Birla Group
“This transaction marks an important milestone for USL as we sharpen focus on our core beverage alcohol business to unlock its true potential with sustained growth, and to continue delivering on long-term value creation for our stakeholders. RCB has grown into the most prominent and commercially successful franchise in the IPL and WPL. Guided by its ‘Play Bold’ philosophy and a strong competitive spirit, it has built a globally recognized brand and a passionate fan base. We are excited for the future of RCB under the stewardship of the new owners. As Sports enters a new phase of growth in India & globally, we believe this is in the best interest of the franchise and our stakeholders. On behalf of USL, I thank everyone who has contributed to RCB’s journey for their continued support – the BCCI, the fans, players and employees.”
Praveen Someshwar, Managing Director & CEO, United Spirits Limited
