Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been sold to a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group in a major development ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. According to reports, the deal, valued at USD 1.78 billion (approximately INR 16,706 crore), gives the consortium 100% ownership of the franchise, including both its men’s IPL team and women’s WPL team.
According to Cricbuzz, the consortium includes the Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (ToI), Bolt Ventures (Bolt), and Blackstone's perpetual private equity strategy (BXPE, Blackstone). Aryaman Vikram Birla, director at the Aditya Birla Group, will serve as chairman of the franchise under the new ownership structure. Satyan Gajwani of The Times of India Group will take on the role of vice president. Bolt Ventures founder David Blitzer and BXPE CEO Viral Patel are also part of the investor group.
In a statement, Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, said the IPL has evolved into a global sporting powerhouse and transformed the business of Indian sports. “Over the past two 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 committed to further building this extraordinary legacy," he said.
Aryaman Birla said the partnership combines expertise across sports, media and consumer businesses. “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,” he said.
In a separate development, Rajasthan Royals has also changed ownership. A consortium led by U.S.-based entrepreneur Kal Somani has acquired the franchise in a deal valued at approximately $1.63 billion.