The race to accumulate a majority stake in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has formally reworked into a worldwide bidding battle, making it essentially the most coveted asset forward of the IPL 2026 season.
Following their historic IPL 2025 title win, RCB’s market attraction has surged to unprecedented heights, drawing intense curiosity from worldwide sports activities moguls and native industrial titans alike. Because the March 31, 2026, deadline for the sale approaches, the franchise is not only a cricket group, it’s a billion-dollar crown jewel that has reset the monetary benchmarks of the league.
IPL 2026: The $1.8 Billion valuation and the worldwide bidding battle for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
The monetary stakes for RCB have reached unprecedented ranges, with present studies from Reuters and Bloomberg valuing the franchise at roughly $1.8 billion. This mammoth determine is a direct results of the group’s latest championship success and its unequalled business pull, anchored by the enduring model energy of Virat Kohli.
Diageo, which controls the group by its Indian arm United Spirits, has formally moved the franchise into an ‘energetic sale’ part, looking for to divest what it now labels a ‘non-core’ asset. This transfer has triggered a fierce bidding battle, because the IPL’s general enterprise valuation has reportedly surged to $18.5 billion, inserting it among the many most profitable sports activities leagues on this planet.
IPL 2026: US billionaire steps into $1.8 billion RCB possession race
As per NDTV Sports activities report, Including a recent and formidable dimension to the race, US billionaire David Blitzer has formally entered the fray. Blitzer, the co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports activities & Leisure and an government at Blackstone Group, is conducting severe due diligence on RCB as he seeks to diversify his already huge sports activities portfolio, which incorporates the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. His entry by his household workplace, BOLT Ventures, signifies a serious shift towards American institutional capital within the IPL. He faces a direct problem from fellow American Avram Glazer, the Manchester United co-chairman who has reportedly submitted a number one bid by Lancer Capital.
Additionally READ: IPL 2026: Are KGF and Kantara creators Hombale Films planning to buy RCB? Here’s what we know so far
Outdated gamers already within the race: Indian tycoons vs Manchester United & world moguls
Whereas American moguls dominate the worldwide headlines, the search for RCB stays a matter of delight for India’s prime industrialist. Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, has been a vocal frontrunner, publicly declaring his intent to maintain the franchise below Indian management. He’s joined by different native heavyweights like Ranjan Pai of the Manipal Group and curiosity from the JSW and Adani Teams.
Nonetheless, the strongest worldwide risk comes from Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer, who’s reportedly prepared to pay a premium to broaden his sporting empire into the Indian subcontinent. With the mid-March deadline for closing bids quick approaching, the battle has grow to be a logo of the IPL’s world status, pitting the “sports activities empire” builders of the West towards the ‘home-grown’ industrial titans of India.
Additionally READ: IPL 2026: RCB up for sale? Here’s the full list of potential bidders looking to acquire Royal Challengers Bengaluru
