Royal Challengers Bengaluru has entered a new phase after the franchise was sold to a group of investors for around USD 1.78 billion. The deal, which is roughly INR 16,700 crore, makes it one of the biggest franchise sales in cricket history.
The ownership change happened just before the start of IPL 2026. After the announcement, former RCB owner Vijay Mallya shared his reaction on social media and reflected on the journey of the team since its creation in 2008.
New Owners of Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB has been acquired by a group of investors working together in a partnership. The consortium includes major business groups and global investors.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Franchise | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Sale value | USD 1.78 billion |
| Approx value in INR | ₹16,700 crore |
| New owners | Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, Blackstone BXPE |
| Season of transition | IPL 2026 |
This ownership deal marks a significant moment for the IPL and for the Bengaluru franchise.
Vijay Mallya’s Reaction to the Sale
Vijay Mallya, who founded the RCB franchise in 2008, responded to the news on social media platform X.
He congratulated the new owners and said that the team will always remain a part of his life. Mallya wrote that RCB is part of his DNA and expressed pride in the growth of the franchise over the years.
He also recalled how people criticized him when he first bought the team for around INR 450 crore during the early days of the IPL.
According to Mallya, one of the main reasons behind purchasing the team was to build and promote the Royal Challenge brand, which is why the franchise was named Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
He said it was satisfying to see the value of the team grow from around INR 450 crore to more than INR 16,000 crore today. Mallya also thanked RCB fans for their continued support and encouraged them to keep backing the team.
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Early History of RCB Ownership
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise has gone through several ownership phases since the start of the IPL.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Vijay Mallya bought RCB through United Breweries Group |
| Purchase value | About USD 111.6 million (₹446 crore) |
| IPL auction rank | Second most expensive franchise at the time |
| 2013 | Diageo bought a controlling stake in the team |
| 2016 | Diageo took full operational control after Mallya stepped down |
These ownership changes eventually led to the latest sale of the franchise ahead of IPL 2026.
Fans React to Mallya’s Message
Mallya’s social media post received mixed reactions from fans.
Some supporters expressed nostalgia and remembered his role in building the RCB brand during the early IPL years. Others discussed financial issues connected with his past business matters.
At the same time, many fans acknowledged that Mallya played an important role in establishing the franchise and helping it become one of the most popular teams in the IPL.
The new ownership group now takes charge of one of the most valuable franchises in cricket.
With strong financial backing and new leadership, the team could enter a new era both on and off the field. The investors are expected to focus on growing the brand, strengthening the squad, and expanding the franchise’s global reach.
RCB fans will now be watching closely to see how the new owners guide the team in the coming seasons.
CricketMAN2 will continue to provide updates about RCB, IPL 2026 developments, and the plans of the new ownership group.
