4 min readBengaluruUpdated: Mar 24, 2026 11:56 PM IST
A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, along with the Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone, signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from United Spirits Limited on Tuesday.
The deal values the franchise, which includes both its Indian Premier League (IPL) men’s team and Women’s Premier League (WPL) side, at ₹166.6 billion (approximately US$1.78 billion), reflecting the growing financial muscle and global appeal of the IPL ecosystem. Vijay Mallya’s United Breweries had acquired it for USD 111.6 million (₹ 4.64 million) in 2008, and 18 years down the line there’s a 1495 % jump in valuation.
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including approvals from the BCCI, the Competition Commission of India, and other regulatory authorities.
Under the new ownership structure, Aryaman Vikram Birla will take over as Chairman of the franchise, while Times’ Satyan Gajwani will serve as Vice Chairman. Birla highlighted the consortium’s combined expertise. Aryaman, a former player for RR and MP is now the chairman of new consortium.
“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.”
Positioning the acquisition as a strategic step into global sport and underlining the IPL’s transformation into a major sporting force, Kumar Mangalam Birla stressed the long-term value creation potential of the franchise.
“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 are committed to further building this extraordinary legacy,” he said.
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Reinforcing the commitment to retain the franchise’s identity while expanding its global footprint, Gajwani pointed to RCB’s popularity and its strong connection with fans.
“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.”
Bolt founder David Blitzer’s involvement in global sport spans across various leagues, including Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), New Jersey Devils (NHL), Washington Commanders (NFL), Cleveland Guardians (MLB), and Crystal Palace in the English Premier League. He underscored the growth potential of the IPL and the strength of RCB’s fanbase.
Explaining the rationale behind the sale and USL’s renewed focus on its core business, Praveen Someshwar highlighted RCB’s evolution into a leading sports brand and expressed confidence in the new ownership.
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“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 and globally, we believe this is in the best interest of the franchise and our stakeholders,” he said.
RCB had been put on sale by United Spirits in November 2025 as part of a strategic review by parent company Diageo, with the aim of completing the sale by March 31, 2026.
The franchise, launched in 2008 as part of the IPL’s inaugural season, has grown into one of the most valuable franchises in the league and will enter IPL 2026 as men’s defending champions for the first time.
