The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are at the centre of a massive ownership shake-up, with the franchise reportedly nearing a $2 billion sale. According to multiple reports, the race has narrowed to two serious contenders—Swedish private equity giant EQT and a powerful consortium involving Ranjan Pai, KKR & Co., and Temasek.
Interestingly, some high-profile names have exited the race. The Glazer family and Adar Poonawalla are no longer in contention for the Bengaluru-based franchise. Their withdrawal adds an intriguing twist, especially considering earlier strong interest and significant preliminary bids.
Current owners United Spirits have reportedly set a valuation of $2 billion. However, there are indications that bidders may hesitate to fully match that figure, largely due to uncertainty around future IPL media rights growth. That said, the absence of a final bid from the Glazers—who had earlier shown willingness to go up to $1.8 billion—suggests that another bidder could be ready to meet or even exceed expectations.
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The entire sale process is expected to conclude within 45 to 90 days. Once finalised, the new ownership group will need to formally notify the Board of Control for Cricket in India, a mandatory requirement for any franchise ownership transfer in the IPL ecosystem.
Two-horse race for #RCB as IPL champions near $2 billion sale#IPL2026 https://t.co/oJXHtcD4nT
— News9 (@News9Tweets) March 18, 2026
Meanwhile, developments around the Rajasthan Royals have added further intrigue to the league’s investment landscape. The ArcelorMittal promoter family, led by Aditya Mittal, is reportedly exploring a potential stake in the franchise. Their growing interest in global sports investments, including involvement with the Boston Celtics, signals a broader strategy.
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With multiple bids already submitted and valuations soaring past the $1 billion mark for IPL teams, the league continues to cement its position as one of the most lucrative sporting properties in the world.
