Royal Challengers Bangalore sale process expected to conclude by March 2026

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise team as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been officially put up for sale. The current owners, Diageo Plc, through its Indian subsidiary United Spirits Limited (USL), have initiated a "strategic review" of their investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL), the entity that owns both the men's IPL team and the women's WPL team.

The Decision and Timeline

The move, confirmed through a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), indicates a clear intent by the UK based alcoholic beverage giant to divest from the cricket franchise, deeming it "non-core to our alcobev business."

Official Process: USL has commenced a strategic review of its investment in RCSPL.

Timeline: The company expects the sale process to be concluded by March 31, 2026, ahead of the 2026 IPL season.

Scope: The sale includes both the men's IPL team and the women's WPL team.

Valuation and Market Appeal

The sale of RCB is expected to draw significant interest and potentially set a new record valuation in the league.

Current Ownership: United Spirits Limited (USL), controlled by Diageo, has been the primary owner since taking over from Vijay Mallya’s UB Group.

Brand Value: Despite a mixed on-field history in the IPL until their maiden title in 2025, RCB's brand remains one of the most valuable in the league, largely driven by the global appeal of its long-time icon, Virat Kohli, and the team's massive social media footprint.

Potential Bidders: As per media reports, interest has been seen from various parties, including major global funds, sovereign funds, and prominent Indian business houses like the JSW Group and Adani Group, Adar Poonawala among others.  

A Post-Championship Transition

The men's team secured their elusive maiden IPL title in 2025. However, the celebrations were tragically overshadowed by an unfortunate stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which led to intense scrutiny and speculation about the franchise's future.

While Diageo cited the non-core nature of the sports business as the formal reason for the strategic review, the highly public and controversial aftermath of the celebration incident is believed by many industry analysts to have accelerated the owners' decision to exit the venture.

The sale marks a pivotal moment, and the transition to a new owner will be closely monitored, as it could redefine the financial and sporting trajectory of one of the most followed teams in franchise cricket.