Aditya Birla Group Acquires Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.78 Billion

Major Acquisition in IPL: RCB Sold to Aditya Birla Group

On Tuesday, a consortium spearheaded by the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) successfully purchased a complete equity stake in the IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for an impressive USD 1.78 billion (around Rs 16,706 crore) from its current owner, United Spirits Limited.

The consortium also includes Blackstone's perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE, led by CEO Viral Patel, Bolt Ventures, owned by American investor David Blitzer, and the media giant Times of India.

According to a statement from United Spirits Limited, following a Board of Directors meeting, they confirmed the signing of definitive agreements for the sale of their entire equity stake in Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) to the consortium.

The deal, valued at INR 166.6 billion, is an all-cash transaction involving the men's and women's teams of RCB.

RCSPL is responsible for managing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchises that compete in both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

Upon finalizing this deal, the consortium will gain the rights to own and operate both the IPL and WPL franchises, as stated by United Spirits Limited.

This announcement also wraps up the strategic review of RCSPL that United Spirits initiated on November 5, 2025.

As a subsidiary of UK-Diageo, United Spirits expressed a desire to divest from RCB, as the team did not align with their core business objectives.

Praveen Someshwar, MD & CEO of United Spirits, remarked, “This transaction signifies a pivotal moment for USL as we concentrate on our primary beverage alcohol business to realize its full potential. RCB has evolved into a leading and commercially viable franchise in both the IPL and WPL.”

He added, “We are optimistic about RCB's future under the new ownership. As sports enter a new growth phase in India and globally, we believe this is beneficial for the franchise and our stakeholders.”

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, stated, “Over the last two decades, the IPL has transformed into a global sports powerhouse, significantly impacting Indian cricket and creating immense value for the country.”

He further noted, “RCB, being one of the most attractive franchises in contemporary sports, provides the Aditya Birla Group with a unique opportunity to extend its legacy into the global sports arena.”

As part of the sale agreement, Aryaman Vikram Birla, a director at ABG, will assume the role of chairman of RCB, with Satyan Gajwani from Times of India serving as his deputy.

Aryaman Birla expressed, “It is an honor to collaborate in this partnership to shape RCB's next growth phase. This alliance combines a profound understanding of sports, media, and consumer sectors.”

Gajwani, Chairman of Times Internet Limited, commented, “RCB is the reigning champion and the most beloved brand in the IPL. We aim to develop RCB into a global sports institution while staying connected to Bengaluru and its passionate fanbase.”

Blitzer expressed enthusiasm about building on RCB's recent achievements, stating, “RCB boasts a world-class fan base, and the IPL represents one of the most significant growth narratives in global sports. Having invested in various clubs and leagues worldwide, I see a standout opportunity at RCB. We look forward to collaborating with our partners and the BCCI to enhance the franchise's championship success.”

Patel praised RCB as one of the strongest sports brands globally, saying, “We are thrilled to invest in RCB, reinforcing Blackstone's long-standing commitment to India. RCB is recognized as one of the most popular sports franchises worldwide, with a robust brand, a dedicated fan base, and numerous growth opportunities.”

However, the deal is still subject to formal approvals from the BCCI, IPL Governing Council, its WPL counterpart, and the Competition Commission of India.