RCB ownership set for major change: Multiple big names line up as franchise valuation touches ₹17,000 crore

With uncertainty over matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium, the spotlight shifts to a high-stakes shake-up as Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepares for a possible ownership transition before the end of March.

The question of whether Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will continue to play at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium remains unanswered, but behind the scenes, a far bigger development is unfolding, the potential sale of the iconic IPL franchise. Sources indicate that RCB is set to get new owners by the end of March, with interest in the team rising sharply.

Speculation around RCB’s sale first gained momentum on September 30, 2025, when former IPL chairman Lalit Modi posted a tweet suggesting that the franchise was being quietly prepared for sale. The revelation triggered widespread discussion across the cricketing world, though the matter later appeared to go silent. Now, ahead of IPL Season 19 and amid debates over the home ground, the franchise sale process has reportedly resumed discreetly.

The current owners are said to have initiated the sale process as early as October last year and entrusted CitiBank with managing the transaction. Multiple bidders have since entered the race, reflecting the soaring demand for the Bengaluru-based team.

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Among the most prominent names is Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla. From the moment reports of the sale emerged, Poonawalla publicly expressed his interest and has now stated that he is ready to place the highest bid. He is believed to have already held discussions with current owners Diageo Group. Notably, the Poonawalla family had attempted to buy an IPL team back in 2010 but failed, making this a long-cherished ambition.

Production house Hombale Films, riding high on the success of blockbusters like KGF and Kantara, has also entered the fray. The company has been RCB’s digital partner since 2023 and is now exploring the possibility of acquiring either full ownership or a significant stake in the franchise.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan is another contender. Already an owner in Pro Kabaddi League’s Jaipur Pink Panthers and ISL’s Chennaiyin FC, Bachchan has shown interest in buying a portion of RCB shares as part of his growing sports investment portfolio.

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Industrialist Parth Jindal, co-owner of Delhi Capitals and owner of Bengaluru FC, is also seriously evaluating the deal. Reports suggest he aims to fully own an IPL team and is particularly keen on a Bengaluru-based franchise. Additionally, the Adani Group, which unsuccessfully attempted to buy an IPL team in 2022, is also said to be tracking the situation closely.

Following RCB’s maiden IPL title win in 2025, the franchise’s valuation has surged. It is currently estimated at around USD 2 billion, translating to over ₹17,059 crore. With several corporates and high-profile individuals lining up, the final sale value could go even higher.

Sports Bureau

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