IPL 2026: Ownership Uncertainty for RCB and RR Ahead of Season Start

The upcoming IPL 2026 season is set to begin on March 28, but uncertainty looms over the ownership of two franchises, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. With multiple bidders, including the American investment firm Blackstone, vying for stakes in both teams, the situation is dynamic. The BCCI has changed its payment requirements, now demanding full upfront payments for the franchises. As RCB prepares to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 26 and RR gears up for their match against Chennai Super Kings on March 30, the stakes are high both on and off the field.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 24, 2026, 12:43 IST

IPL 2026 Set to Kick Off Amid Ownership Changes

The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to commence on March 28 (Saturday). As the start date approaches, two franchises, the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), are still in the process of finalizing their ownership, as both teams are publicly up for sale. Numerous potential buyers have shown interest, but a significant contender has emerged: Blackstone Inc., an American alternative investment management firm. Notably, Blackstone is looking to acquire stakes in both RCB and RR.

According to a Bloomberg report, Blackstone, through its Blackstone Private Equity Strategies Fund, is considering an investment ranging from $200 to $300 million for either RCB or RR. This investment strategy may involve BXPE, which is designed for affluent investors, allowing for a longer-term stake than typical drawdown funds.

Competitive Bidding for RCB

The Bloomberg report indicates that final bids for RCB were submitted last week, featuring proposals from the family office of Wipro's founder, Azim Premji, and EQT AB. Additionally, a consortium led by Ranjan Pai, owner of Manipal Hospitals, has also placed a bid. Furthermore, a consortium that includes the Aditya Birla Group and American sports investor David Blitzer is reportedly preparing a bid for RCB, having also submitted an offer for RR.

Initially, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) permitted franchise acquisition payments to be made over ten years. However, Bloomberg has revealed that for the sales of RR and RCB, the BCCI is now requiring the full payment upfront. RCB is set to launch their IPL 2026 season on March 26 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), while RR will kick off their campaign on March 30 (Monday) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).