The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been acquired by a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) in a landmark deal valued at approximately USD 1.78 billion (around Rs 16,706 crore), making it the most expensive IPL team in history. The sale, announced on Tuesday, transfers 100 percent equity ownership from United Spirits Limited (USL) to the new consortium.

Other members of the consortium include Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE, headed by CEO Viral Patel, American investor David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures, and media conglomerate Times of India. The acquisition covers both the men’s IPL team and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) team, consolidating control of RCB’s operations under the consortium.

RCB, one of the eight original IPL franchises since the league’s inception in 2008, secured its maiden IPL title in 2025. Despite speculation over whether the team’s name would change under new ownership, Ananya Birla, a prominent member of the Aditya Birla Group, appeared to confirm that the “Royal Challengers Bengaluru” brand would be retained. She reposted an Instagram story indicating that the team’s name would remain unchanged.

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In a statement, USL explained the details of the sale: “United Spirits Limited, pursuant to the meeting of its Board of Directors, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the 100 percent equity stake held in its wholly owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) to a consortium. The consortium comprises Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (Times), Bolt Ventures (Bolt), and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE, for a total consideration of INR 166.6 billion in an all-cash transaction.”

The statement further clarified that RCSPL owns and operates the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchises participating in both the IPL and WPL. Upon completion of the transaction, the consortium will assume all rights and responsibilities related to team management and operations. The deal concludes a strategic review of RCSPL that USL had initiated on November 5, 2025.

Analysts view the acquisition as a significant milestone in Indian sports business, reflecting the growing commercial value of cricket franchises. RCB’s retention of its iconic brand under new ownership is expected to maintain fan loyalty while providing the consortium with opportunities for expansion across cricket and related media ventures.

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