RCB Franchise Officially Up for Sale

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket franchise, which includes both the men’s IPL team and the women’s WPL team, has been officially put up for sale. The current owner, the UK-based company Diageo (through its subsidiary, United Spirits Ltd. or USL), has started the process to find a new owner.

Target Date for a New Owner

Diageo formally announced the move as a “strategic review of the investment” in the company that owns the teams, called Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL). The sale process has officially begun, and the company is hoping to complete the change in ownership by March 31, 2026.

Why is the Team Being Sold?

The main reason for the sale is that the RCB franchise is considered a non-core asset to the owners. Praveen Someswar, the CEO of United Spirits Ltd., explained that while RCB has been a valuable part of the company, it is not central to their main alcohol and beverage business. By selling the team, Diageo and USL aim to focus more on their primary business and deliver long-term value to their shareholders.

Official Disclosure to the Stock Exchange

The owners made the sale process official by sending a formal document to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on November 5, 2025. This was a mandatory public disclosure to inform investors that they are reviewing their investment in RCSPL, the company that runs both the men’s IPL and women’s WPL teams.

Strong Interest from Potential Buyers

Even though the franchise was officially put on sale recently, many powerful business groups have already shown interest in buying the iconic team. RCB is one of the most popular and valuable franchises, valued at an estimated $2 billion.

Who Might Buy RCB?

The list of potential buyers includes several major names. Some of the parties that have registered their interest in acquiring the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise are: