2025 IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) are reportedly up for sale ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season. Harsh Goenka, elder brother of Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka, tweeted that both franchises are on the market, with 4–5 potential buyers, possibly from Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, or even the USA.
The Jaipur-based Rajasthan Royals are primarily owned by Royals Sports Group, holding a 65% stake, with minority stakeholders including Lachlan Murdoch and RedBird Capital Partners. Diageo confirmed on November 5 that it had initiated the sale process for RCB, which was first hinted at by Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, via an X post on October 1.
Industry sources suggest that a consortium including Kamath, Pai, and Poonawalla could place a bid for RCB. Forbes estimates Pai’s net worth at $2.8 billion and Kamath’s at $2.5 billion. A 2022 Forbes report had valued RCB at just over $1 billion, with the current valuation expected to be higher following their IPL 2025 championship.
The sale of these franchises underscores the growing financial stakes and investor interest in the Indian Premier League, as top business figures look to enter or expand in the lucrative T20 cricket ecosystem.
