The Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been sold for 1.78 billion dollars, around Rs 16,738 crore. This makes it the most expensive franchise in Indian Premier League history.
The deal surpasses the earlier record held by Rajasthan Royals, which was sold for 1.63 billion dollars. Both teams are now among the first IPL franchises to cross the billion dollar mark.
The new ownership is led by the Aditya Birla Group. The consortium also includes investor David Blitzer, Blackstone and the Times of India Group.
The group will officially take control after the IPL 2026 season. This marks the first time the Birla family has invested in a sports franchise.
RCB was earlier owned by United Spirits, a subsidiary of Diageo. The team was originally bought in 2008 for 111.6 million dollars.
The latest valuation highlights massive growth over 18 years. It reflects how the IPL has evolved into a major global sports league.
Kumar Mangalam Birla said the group aims to strengthen RCB’s global presence. He also stressed maintaining its strong connection with Indian cricket.
Aryaman Birla, the new chairman of RCB, said the focus will be on team growth and fan engagement. He added that the franchise will continue its bold cricketing identity.
Satyan Gajwani, vice chairman of RCB, said the aim is to expand globally while staying rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka.
David Blitzer highlighted RCB’s strong fan base. He said the team has huge potential for further growth under the new ownership.
Viral Patel noted that RCB offers strong business and sporting opportunities due to its loyal following.
With this record deal, RCB has set a new benchmark for franchise valuations. It underlines the growing global importance of the IPL.
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