Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is one of the most popular cricket franchises in India. The team competes in both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group now owns both the men’s and women’s teams after acquiring a 100% stake in Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited in March 2026.
Who Owns RCB?
As of March 2026, a powerhouse consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, in partnership with the Times of India Group, Blackstone, and Bolt Ventures, owns Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This $1.78 billion acquisition followed Diageo’s decision to exit the sports franchise business.
Vijay Mallya originally purchased the franchise in 2008 when the IPL started. He served as USL’s chairman at that time. However, he left the company in 2016 due to legal and financial problems. After his exit, Diageo took full control of the franchise until the 2026 sale.
Aryaman Vikram Birla, a director at the Aditya Birla Group and former professional cricketer, currently serves as the Chairman of RCB. Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group serves as the Vice Chairman.
About United Spirits Limited
USL ranks as India’s largest alcoholic beverage company. While the company previously utilized RCB as a major branding platform for its beverage labels, it fully divested its stake in the franchise in March 2026 to focus on its core business.
Here are some key facts about the ownership change:
- The Aditya Birla-led consortium acquired RCB for approximately ₹16,700 crore ($1.78 billion).
- The deal includes 100% ownership of both the IPL and WPL franchises.
- The new owners include global investors like David Blitzer (Bolt Ventures) and private equity firm Blackstone.
- The transition to the new leadership structure is expected to be finalized after the IPL 2026 season.
RCB’s Brand Value
As of early 2026, RCB is valued at $1.78 billion based on its recent sale price. This makes the franchise one of the most valuable teams in global sports. The team’s huge fan base, star players like Virat Kohli, and recent championship success drive this high valuation
RCB earns revenue from multiple sources. These include sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and media rights. The team’s connection with Diageo adds commercial strength and global reach to the franchise.
RCB In IPL
RCB plays its home matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The team joined the IPL in its first season in 2008. For many years, RCB came close to winning but fell short in finals.
RCB’s IPL Final History in IPL:
| Year | Opponent | Result | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Punjab Kings | Won by 6 runs | RCB’s maiden title under captain Rajat Patidar. |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Lost by 8 runs | Virat Kohli’s record-breaking season (973 runs). |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | Lost by 58 runs | Chris Gayle’s arrival transformed the team’s season. |
| 2009 | Deccan Chargers | Lost by 6 runs | Anil Kumble took 4/16 and was named Player of the Match despite the loss. |
That changed in 2025. RCB won their first-ever IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in the final. The team finished the league stage with 17 points from 13 matches. Captain Rajat Patidar and coach Andy Flower led the squad with smart strategies and solid team balance.
The victory ended a 17-year wait for RCB fans. Players, former legends, and supporters celebrated this historic moment together.
RCB In WPL
The Aditya Birla-led consortium now operates the RCB women’s team as part of the total franchise acquisition.
Smriti Mandhana captains the women’s team. Luke Williams served as head coach during the initial title win, but Malolan Rangarajan was appointed as the Head Coach ahead of the WPL 2026 season.
In 2024, RCB Women won the WPL title by defeating Delhi Capitals in the final. They followed this with a second WPL title in February 2026, defeating Delhi Capitals again in the final.
RCB Women also holds the distinction of having the most followers among cricket franchises on Instagram, with over 21 million followers.
RCB Trophy Cabinet
| Year | Tournament | Result | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | WPL | Champions | Delhi Capitals | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 2025 | WPL | Champions | Punjab Kings | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 2026 | WPL | Champions | Delhi Capitals | BCA Stadium, Kotambi (Vadodara) |
These wins mark a new chapter for the franchise. RCB proved they can deliver on big stages in both men’s and women’s cricket.
Potential Ownership Change
The ownership change was officially confirmed in March 2026.
While several bidders were in the mix, the Aditya Birla-led group won the bid with a record-breaking offer.
The deal was finalized on March 24, 2026, just days before the start of the IPL 2026 season.
Key Leadership Details
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Owner | Aditya Birla Group-led Consortium |
| Chairman | Aryaman Vikram Birla |
| IPL Captain | Rajat Patidar |
| IPL Coach | Andy Flower |
| WPL Captain | Smriti Mandhana |
| WPL Coach | Malolan Rangarajan |
| Home Stadium | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
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Conclusion: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s New Era Under Aditya Birla Group Ownership
As of March 2026, the Aditya Birla Group-led consortium has officially taken over ownership of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in both the IPL and WPL. With a record acquisition value of $1.78 billion, historic title wins in both leagues, and millions of passionate fans, RCB has grown into a global cricket powerhouse.
The upcoming ownership change will bring new faces to the franchise. But RCB’s identity, fan base, and winning momentum should continue into this new era.
