Birla, TOI Group, Bolt, Blackstone to Acquire RCB in INR 166.6 Bn Deal

A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, along with The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from United Spirits Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo plc.

The deal values the franchise at INR 166.6 billion (around USD 1.78 billion), making it one of the largest transactions in global sports franchise history.

The acquisition includes both the men’s Indian Premier League (IPL) team and the women’s team competing in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approvals from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the IPL Governing Council, the Competition Commission of India, and other regulatory authorities.

Following the completion of the deal, Aryaman Vikram Birla (Director, Aditya Birla Group) will take over as Chairman of the franchise, while Satyan Gajwani (Vice Chairman, The Times of India Group) will serve as Vice Chairman.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, said, “Over the past 2 decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket creating enormous value for India. RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport. We are delighted to become custodians of this asset and committed to further building this extraordinary legacy.”

Aryaman Vikram Birla said, “This partnership brings together a deep understanding of sports, media and consumer businesses. Together, we will continue to Play Bold – on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is.”

RCB, one of the original eight IPL teams, has grown into a globally recognised cricket franchise. The Bengaluru-based team won its maiden IPL title in 2025 after reaching the finals on multiple occasions. It has also been a consistent performer, including three consecutive playoff appearances between 2020 and 2022. In 2024, the team staged a remarkable comeback by winning six consecutive matches from the bottom of the table to qualify for the playoffs.

On the women’s side, RCB has emerged as a dominant force, winning the WPL titles in 2024 and 2026. The franchise made headlines earlier by securing Indian opener Smriti Mandhana for INR 3.40 crore, one of the highest bids in women’s cricket leagues globally.

Advisors to the buyers included A&W Capital, Moelis, and Khaitan & Co, while Citi India and AZB Partners advised United Spirits Limited on the transaction.