Key moments
On March 25, 2026, the Aditya Birla Group, in collaboration with The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone, finalized the acquisition of 100% of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from United Spirits Ltd. This landmark deal is valued at an impressive US$1.78 billion (approximately ₹16,660 crore), making it the most expensive IPL franchise sold to date.
Aryaman Vikram Birla has been appointed as the chairman of RCB following the acquisition, while Satyan Gajwani will take on the role of vice-chairman. The acquisition is pending customary closing conditions, including approvals from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL governing council.
This acquisition comes after United Spirits initiated a strategic review of its holding in RCB in November 2025, allowing the beverage company to refocus on its core business. The consortium expressed pride in becoming the custodians of RCB and committed to elevating the team to greater heights, which includes full ownership of both the IPL and Women’s Premier League (WPL) teams.
Historically, United Spirits had previously acquired RCB in 2008 for $111.6 million (approximately ₹485 crore). The franchise has struggled to secure an IPL title, holding only two titles in its 18-year history. The acquisition by the Aditya Birla Group and its partners is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on RCB’s strong fanbase and the growing value of the IPL, which is pegged at USD 18.5 billion according to investment bank Houlihan Lokey.
In a statement, Kumar Mangalam Birla remarked, “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.” Aryaman Vikram Birla added, “It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB.”
David Blitzer, another member of the consortium, highlighted RCB’s world-class fanbase, stating, “RCB has a world-class fanbase, and the IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport.” Viral Patel from Blackstone expressed excitement about the investment, emphasizing the firm’s long-standing commitment to India.
The acquisition of RCB not only marks a significant milestone for the Aditya Birla Group but also reflects the increasing financial dynamics within the Indian Premier League, where franchise values continue to soar. As the deal awaits formal approval from the BCCI and the Competition Commission of India, the cricketing community watches closely for the next steps in this high-stakes transaction.
