WS Investor
25 Mar 2026, 21:30
Consortium acquires Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise in $1.78 billion deal
March 24, 2026 — A consortium including Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has agreed to acquire 100% of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket franchise from United Spirits, a subsidiary of Diageo, in a deal valued at INR 166.6 billion (approximately $1.78 billion).
The transaction covers both the men’s Indian Premier League team and the women’s Women’s Premier League team and remains subject to regulatory approvals, including from India’s cricket governing bodies.
RCB, one of the most prominent franchises in global cricket, recently won both the IPL and WPL titles, strengthening its commercial and brand value.
The new ownership group aims to expand RCB’s global presence and further develop its fan base, leveraging combined expertise in sports, media, and investment.
March 24, 2026 — A consortium including Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has agreed to acquire 100% of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket franchise from United Spirits, a subsidiary of Diageo, in a deal valued at INR 166.6 billion (approximately $1.78 billion).
The transaction covers both the men’s Indian Premier League team and the women’s Women’s Premier League team and remains subject to regulatory approvals, including from India’s cricket governing bodies.
RCB, one of the most prominent franchises in global cricket, recently won both the IPL and WPL titles, strengthening its commercial and brand value.
The new ownership group aims to expand RCB’s global presence and further develop its fan base, leveraging combined expertise in sports, media, and investment.
