Royal Challengers Bengaluru — the reigning IPL 2025 champions — have officially changed hands. A consortium led by Aditya Birla Group, along with The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures (David Blitzer), and a Blackstone-backed fund, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% stake in RCB for $1.78 billion (approximately ₹16,660 crore). The deal is the most expensive franchise transaction in IPL history.
The franchise is being acquired from United Spirits Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo Plc, which originally bought the Bengaluru team in 2008 for just $111.6 million (₹485 crore). That's a staggering 16x return in under two decades.
Under the new ownership structure, Aryaman Vikram Birla — a former Rajasthan Royals player and Director at Aditya Birla Group — will serve as Chairman of the franchise. Satyan Gajwani of The Times of India Group will be Vice-Chairman.
The deal includes both the men's IPL team and the Women's Premier League (WPL) side. It is subject to approvals from BCCI, the IPL Governing Council, and other regulatory bodies.
RCB opens IPL 2026 on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

