In a landmark transaction, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru has changed hands for an astounding ₹21,850 crore, equivalent to approximately $1.78 billion. This acquisition marks an extraordinary 1,495 per cent increase in the franchise’s value since its initial purchase in 2008.
The consortium, led by the Aditya Birla Group, now owns 100 per cent of both Bengaluru’s men’s IPL team and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) side. Partners in the deal include the Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone, collectively establishing a powerful new ownership structure.
| Year | Previous Owner | Purchase Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | United Breweries (Vijay Mallya) | $111.6 million | Second-highest valued team among eight franchises |
| 2016 | Diageo (UK-based) | N/A | Acquired after Mallya left India |
| 2021 | BCCI (new teams) | $1.69 billion | Sale of Lucknow and Ahmedabad franchises for comparison |
| 2026 | Aditya Birla-led consortium | $1.78 billion (₹21,850 crore) | Includes full ownership of IPL and WPL teams |
The franchise was originally purchased in 2008 by United Breweries, under the leadership of Vijay Mallya, for $111.6 million, making it the second most expensive team in the league at the time. Since then, over 18 years, Bengaluru’s value has surged nearly fifteen-fold, reflecting the IPL’s rapid commercial growth. In fact, the team’s current valuation surpasses the combined cost of the two most recent franchises sold by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2021.
Following Mallya’s departure from India in 2016, control of the team was held by the UK-based company Diageo. A tragic incident on 4 June 2025, during the team’s championship celebrations, led to the deaths of 11 fans and injuries to many more. The event intensified pressure on the owners to sell the franchise, culminating in the announcement last November that the sale would be completed by 31 March 2026.
Under the new ownership, Aryaman Vikram Birla of the Aditya Birla Group has been appointed chairman. Son of group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla and a former first-class cricketer for Madhya Pradesh, Aryaman was also part of the Rajasthan Royals IPL squad in 2018 and 2019, though he did not play in any matches. He stepped away from cricket indefinitely in 2019 citing mental health reasons.
The vice-chairmanship will be held by Satyen Gajwani of the Times of India Group. Other notable consortium members include David Blitzer of Bolt Ventures and Viral Patel, CEO of BXPE, reinforcing the strength and depth of this newly formed ownership group.