Tezzbuzz Desk- Even before the start of IPL 2026 season, big news has come out in the world of cricket and sports business. The owners of two old and legendary teams of the league have changed. First Rajasthan Royals and now defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore have also passed into the hands of new owners. RCB has been bought for around $1.78 billion i.e. around Rs 16,600 crore, making it the most expensive team in IPL history. A consortium of four big companies—Aditya Birla Group, Times of India, Blackstone’s BXPE unit and Bolt Ventures—has bought 100% stake in RCB. This team was earlier owned by United Spirits Limited.
In the IPL 2026 season, the teams will play under the old owners and the new ownership will come into effect from the next season. The deal includes ownership of the WPL’s champion women’s team along with the men’s team. Aryaman Vikram Birla of Aditya Birla Group will be made the chairman of RCB and Satyan Gajwani of Times of India will be made the vice-chairman. On the same day, Rajasthan Royals were also bought by American investors for about $ 1.65 billion (about Rs 15,400 crore). When IPL started in 2008, Vijay Mallya bought RCB for just $111.6 million (about Rs 455 crore). Since then, the brand value of the team has continuously increased and today it has become the most expensive franchise of IPL.
When IPL started in 2008, Vijay Mallya bought RCB for $111.6 million (about Rs 455 crore). After this, it took time for the team to win its first title, but the brand value continued to increase. Today the price of RCB has increased manifold and has reached a record level.
This sale has made it clear that IPL is not just a game but has become one of the fastest growing and expensive sports business platforms in the world.
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