The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise has been officially put up for sale, which is one of the most famous teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The parent company United Spirits Limited (USL), a part of Diageo PLC, has communicated that it has started to sell not only the men’s but also the women’s RCB teams, thus indicating a significant change in the Indian sports business environment.
📄 Official Confirmation from USL
In a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), USL stated that it is conducting a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RSPL) — the entity that owns and operates RCB. The company confirmed that the sale process has started and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026, ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
“RSPL is a valuable and strategic asset for USL; however, it is not core to our alcobev business,” said USL CEO and MD Praveen Someshwar in a statement. The move comes as part of USL’s restructuring to focus on its primary business operations.
💰 Who’s in the Race to Buy RCB?
According to industry reports, several Indian and international investors are eyeing the RCB franchise. Among the prominent names in contention are:
- Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, who reportedly offered around ₹17,000 crore for the team.
- Parth Jindal of the JSW Group, who has reportedly held talks with Diageo management.
- The Adani Group and a prominent Delhi-based industrialist, both said to be interested.
- Two U.S.-based private equity firms have also entered the race.
Interestingly, Adar’s father Cyrus Poonawalla had previously bid for an IPL franchise in 2010, but missed out to Sahara and Rendezvous Sports during the league’s expansion phase.
🏆 RCB’s Legacy and Ownership History
Founded in 2008, RCB was originally bought by Vijay Mallya for $111.6 million (₹76 crore). In 2014, Diageo acquired a majority stake in USL, and by 2016, after Mallya’s financial troubles, RCB became fully owned by Diageo through its subsidiary RSPL.
RCB has since grown into one of the IPL’s most valuable franchises — not just for its brand appeal but also for its passionate fan base. The team, led by Faf du Plessis, finally clinched its first IPL title in 2025, a victory that added immense brand value just as ownership talks began.
🔁 What’s Next?
The process of the sale has already begun to take place and thus, a change in ownership at RCB could be very soon, and that could happen before the IPL 2026 season. Moreover, the outcome of the whole thing can be such that the whole league’s commercial dynamics will be reshaped which in turn would bring global investment into Indian cricket.
