IPL 2026 Menu Toggle IPL 2026 Tickets IPL 2026 Live Streaming IPL 2026 Captains IPL Betting Apps Editor’s Choice – Top Cricket ID Menu Toggle Reddy Book Points Table Menu Toggle TG20 Live Score TG20 Points Table Prediction Latest News Blog Search for: Main Menu Search for: IPL 2026 Menu Toggle IPL 2026 Tickets IPL 2026 Live Streaming IPL 2026 Captains IPL Betting Apps Editor’s Choice – Top Cricket ID Menu Toggle Reddy Book Points Table Menu Toggle TG20 Live Score TG20 Points Table Prediction Latest News Blog RCB Team Owner: Aditya Birla Group Buys Team for $1.78 Billion General Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is one of the most popular cricket franchises in India. The team competes in both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women’s Premier League (WPL). A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group now owns both the men’s and women’s teams after acquiring a 100% stake in Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited in March 2026. As of March 2026, a powerhouse consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, in partnership with the Times of India Group, Blackstone, and Bolt Ventures, owns Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This $1.78 billion acquisition followed Diageo’s decision to exit the sports franchise business. Vijay Mallya originally purchased the franchise in 2008 when the IPL started. He served as USL’s chairman at that time. However, he left the company in 2016 due to legal and financial problems. After his exit, Diageo took full control of the franchise until the 2026 sale. Aryaman Vikram Birla, a director at the Aditya Birla Group and former professional cricketer, currently serves as the Chairman of RCB. Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group serves as the Vice Chairman. USL ranks as India’s largest alcoholic beverage company. While the company previously utilized RCB as a major branding platform for its beverage labels, it fully divested its stake in the franchise in March 2026 to focus on its core business. Here are some key facts about the ownership change : As of early 2026, RCB is valued at $1.78 billion based on its recent sale price. This makes the franchise one of the most valuable teams in global sports. The team’s huge fan base, star players like Virat Kohli, and recent championship success drive this high valuation RCB earns revenue from multiple sources. These include sponsorship deals, merchandise sales, and media rights. While the team has transitioned away from Diageo ownership, its commercial strength remains anchored by long-standing global partnerships and a massive digital footprint. RCB plays its home matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru . The team joined the IPL in its first season in 2008. For many years, RCB came close to winning but fell short in finals. RCB’s IPL Final History in IPL: That changed in 2025. RCB won their first-ever IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in the final. The victory was secured on June 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Captain Rajat Patidar and coach Andy Flower led the squad with smart strategies and solid team balance. The victory ended a 17-year wait for RCB fans. Players, former legends, and supporters celebrated this historic moment together. The Aditya Birla-led consortium now operates the RCB women’s team as part of the total franchise acquisition. Smriti Mandhana captains the women’s team. Luke Williams served as head coach during the initial title win, but Malolan Rangarajan was appointed as the Head Coach ahead of the WPL 2026 season. In 2024, RCB Women won the WPL title by defeating Delhi Capitals in the final. They continued their dominance by winning the 2026 WPL title in February, once again defeating Delhi Capitals in the final by 6 wickets. RCB Women also holds the distinction of having the most followers among cricket franchises on Instagram, with over 21 million followers. These wins mark a new chapter for the franchise. RCB proved they can deliver on big stages in both men’s and women’s cricket. The ownership change was officially confirmed in March 2026. While several bidders were in the mix, the Aditya Birla-led group won the bid with a record-breaking offer. The deal was finalized on March 24, 2026, just days before the start of the IPL 2026 season. Related Reads: As of March 2026, the Aditya Birla Group-led consortium has officially taken over ownership of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in both the IPL and WPL. With a record acquisition value of $1.78 billion, historic title wins in both leagues, and millions of passionate fans, RCB has grown into a global cricket powerhouse. The recent ownership change has brought new faces to the franchise. But RCB’s identity, fan base, and winning momentum continue to thrive into this new era. Shreya Patil is a Mumbai-based documentary photographer turned cricket storyteller. Having covered local leagues through her lens, she now writes feature pieces at WPLeague, capturing the human side of women’s cricket beyond the boundary ropes. ETPL 2026 Live Streaming & Broadcast Options (Global Platforms) Delhi Premier League 2026 Points Table & Live Standings (19 Aug) Caribbean Premier League 2026 Points Table & Standings (19 Aug) TNPL 2026 Points Table: Full Standings & Team Rankings (19 Aug)
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: wpleague.in