The franchise of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which at last crowned with the IPL title the previous season, will now undergo a major change in ownership. The existing proprietors, Diageo/United Spirits, have explicitly deployed the plan for the divestiture of the team. As per the information leaked, the firm is aiming to wrap up the entire sale transaction by the date of March 31, 2026, which indicates that the new RCB owner may be in charge prior to the start of the IPL 2026 season.
Diageo has verified that they are reviewing their strategic options and have now taken the first step in the direction of pulling out from the partnership. They consider this to be the best time on the clock to make the decision as RCB’s brand value has soared after clinching the IPL trophy in 2025, increasing their global fanbase, and being among the top three most valuable sports teams in India.
Why RCB Is Being Sold?
Despite achieving massive commercial success, Diageo is going to change the path of their future investments away from sports franchises and restructure their portfolio. Sources indicate that Diageo would rather keep their focus on the main business and not take part in the management of sports teams for the long run.
The untimely demise of the stampede that took place the day after RCB’s trophy victory is said to have been another reason for the company’s decision: a party outside the stadium turned dangerous and caused concerns around safety, logistics, and public perception. Diageo seems to have judged the combined situation of peak valuation and reputational pressure to be the right moment for an exit.
Also read: WPL 2026 Retentions: Full List of Players Retained by All Five Teams Before Mega Auction
Who might Buy RCB next? (Possible Contenders)
According to various media reports and insiders in the industry, about 5-6 leading corporate groups and investment giants have already started negotiations with Diageo for RCB acquisition.
The most likely names in the market are the
- Sports Investment Division backed by Reliance (not the owners of Mumbai Indians),
- Adani Group,
- JSW Group,
- RPG Group,
- RedBird Capital (a US-based private equity firm with a global presence in sports ownership), and
- CVC Capital – the group that previously owned the Gujarat Titans.
All these names are being considered as serious potential bidders, and in a few months, one of these will probably be the new owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru as soon as the deal process enters the final negotiation stage.
This change, for fans, is going to be one of the most significant changes in the history of the IPL. RCB’s first IPL trophy win followed by a total ownership change within a year makes it even more dramatic. The new owner might even alter the franchise’s long-term path in terms of future brand deals, commercial models, and even player strategy.
RCB fans are now anxious to see who will manage the team, but the one thing that is certain is that RCB will enter the 2026 IPL season with a completely new ownership era. The coming months are going to be very important for the future of one of the most beloved franchises in world cricket.
Written By:- Manjunath S