RCB Set for Sale, New Owners Expected by March

One of the most popular franchises in cricket history, the current Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has officially been put up for sale. This marks a significant moment in franchise cricket, as fans and analysts alike speculate about the future of the star-studded team.

The team’s owner, Diageo, announced in a statement submitted to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Wednesday that the sale process has already begun. The company aims to complete the entire process by 31 March 2026. This means that by next March, players like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Smriti Mandhana could see a new ownership take charge of their franchise.

Diageo’s Indian subsidiary, United Spirits Limited (USL), confirmed that the investment review process for their fully-owned entity, Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPPL), has been initiated. RCSPPL oversees the business operations of both the men’s and women’s RCB teams participating in the IPL and Women’s Premier League (WPL), respectively.

Praveen Someshwar, Managing Director and CEO of USL, stated:
“RCB is a valuable asset for us, but it is not directly related to our beverage business. This decision has been taken in consideration of our long-term business goals and the interests of our shareholders.”

Although the announcement was primarily made to comply with stock market regulations, analysts believe the message is clear: Diageo intends to divest either fully or partially from RCB.

According to Cricbuzz, several major entities have already expressed interest in acquiring the franchise. Names reportedly in the frame include a US-based private investment firm, the Adani Group, JSW Group of the Jindal family, Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute, and Roby Jaipuria of Devyani International.

The speculation around RCB’s sale is not entirely new. Following the tragic stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium in June, which claimed the lives of 11 supporters and injured many more, questions over the franchise’s future began to circulate.

The combination of shareholder pressure, the franchise being outside Diageo’s core business, and recent events has now formally prompted the sale. If completed, this could become one of the largest ownership transfers in IPL history.