Aditya Birla Group Acquires Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Key moments

In a landmark development for Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket, the Aditya Birla Group, in collaboration with The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone, has acquired 100% of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise from United Spirits Ltd. The acquisition, announced on March 25, 2026, is valued at approximately US$1.78 billion (around ₹16,660 crore), making it the most expensive IPL franchise sold to date.

The acquisition is significant not only for its financial implications but also for the future leadership of RCB. Aryaman Vikram Birla has been appointed as the chairman of RCB, while Satyan Gajwani will serve as vice-chairman. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL governing council, which are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

United Spirits had initiated a strategic review of its holding in RCB in November 2025, leading to this sale. The decision allows United Spirits to concentrate on its core beverage business while transferring the responsibilities of the cricket franchise to a consortium that has expressed pride in becoming custodians of RCB. They have committed to elevating the team to greater heights, indicating a strong vision for the future.

The acquisition includes full ownership of both the IPL and Women’s Premier League (WPL) teams, further expanding the consortium’s footprint in the cricketing landscape. This move comes at a time when the IPL’s total value is pegged at USD 18.5 billion, according to investment bank Houlihan Lokey, underscoring the lucrative nature of cricket in India.

Historically, United Spirits had submitted a winning bid of $111.6 million (approximately ₹485 crore) to acquire the franchise back in 2008. This recent acquisition marks a significant appreciation in the franchise’s value over the years, reflecting the growing commercial potential of cricket in India.

In response to the acquisition, Kumar Mangalam Birla stated, “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.” These statements highlight the consortium’s commitment to the franchise and its future.

David Blitzer, another key figure in the consortium, remarked, “RCB has a world-class fanbase, and the IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport,” emphasizing the potential for growth and engagement with fans. Viral Patel from Blackstone expressed excitement about the investment, stating, “We are excited to invest in RCB, building on Blackstone’s long-standing commitment to India.”

As the acquisition awaits formal approval from the BCCI and the Competition Commission of India, the cricketing community watches closely. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline for these approvals, but the anticipation surrounding the future of RCB is palpable among fans and stakeholders alike.