Aditya Birla Group, TOI Group, Bolt Ventures & Blackstone Acquire RCB for $1.78 Billion Mumbai: Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone have signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, including both the men’s and women’s teams. The Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL) franchises are being transferred from United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of Diageo plc. The transaction values the franchise at approximately $1.78 billion (around INR 16,600 crore). The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the IPL governing council, and other regulatory authorities. Under the new ownership structure, effective from the 2026 edition, Aryaman Vikram Birla, a director at Aditya Birla Group, will serve as chairman, while Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group will hold the position of vice-chairman. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “Over the past two decades, the IPL has evolved into a global sporting powerhouse, reshaping Indian cricket and creating immense value for the nation. RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a unique platform to expand its legacy of institution-building into the realm of global sports. We are delighted to become custodians of this asset and are committed to furthering its extraordinary legacy.#aditya_birla_group #royal_challengers_bengaluru #the_times_of_india_group #bolt_ventures #blackstone
