Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have a new set of owners. A consortium of four groups has acquired the franchise for USD 1.78 billion, approximately INR 16,706 crore. The deal was confirmed on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
The four groups are Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (ToI), Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy (BXPE). They have signed a definitive agreement with United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of UK-based Diageo plc, to acquire 100 percent stake in RCB. The deal covers both the men’s IPL team and the women’s WPL team.
Who Will Run the Franchise
Under the new setup, Aryaman Vikram Birla, Director at Aditya Birla Group, will serve as Chairman. Satyan Gajwani from The Times of India Group will be Vice Chairman. David Blitzer, founder of Bolt Ventures, and Viral Patel, CEO of BXPE, are the other key members of the ownership group.
The deal is not yet final. It requires approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Competition Commission of India (CCI), and other applicable regulatory authorities before it is formally completed.
Kumar Mangalam Birla said the group was committed to building on the franchise’s legacy. Satyan Gajwani called RCB the most popular brand in the IPL and said the new owners would work to turn it into a global sporting institution while staying rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka. David Blitzer said the opportunity at RCB stood out compared to other clubs and leagues he has invested in around the world. Aryaman Birla said the partnership brings together knowledge of sports, media, and consumer businesses.
What This Means For IPL 2026
RCB won the IPL title in 2025. It was the first time in the franchise’s history that they lifted the trophy. They will now defend that title in IPL 2026 under new ownership.
Their opening match is on March 28 against SunRisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The new owners will take charge of one of the IPL’s most followed franchises almost immediately after the deal was announced. The USD 1.78 billion valuation also reflects how much the value of IPL franchises has grown over the years.
