Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has now become a precious gem in the sports industry globally ever since winning their maiden championship title in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
The franchise is currently owned by United Spirits Limited (USL), an associate of the international alcoholic beverage giant Diageo, which has now initiated a sale via Citigroup. A jaw-dropping figure of $2 billion valuation (approximately INR 17,000 crore) has been fixed.
March 31, 2026 (Tuesday) is the cut-off date approaching closer. Several sports tycoons and billionaires from India, as well as other parts of the world, have come up to sign the lucrative deal with IPL’s most prized brand.
Let’s take a look at those Indian and overseas groups who are currently lined up in the billion-dollar race.
Great US Billionaires and Foreign Companies
- David Blitzer: The name David Blitzer isn’t new to the entertainment world. Known as one of the billionaires in the USA, he is the co-founder of the Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment industry.
Blitzer is now aiming for a high-profile ownership in the T20 franchise league, having owned part of two big sports teams in the US, namely:- The Philadelphia 76ers (basketball, NBA)
- The New Jersey Devils (ice hockey, NHL)
- Avram Glazer: The football club Manchester United’s co-owner, Avram Glazer, is now keen to expand his business into a popular sport like cricket. It is reported that the American businessman missed out on an opportunity for IPL franchise expansion in 2021.
The Glazer family already owns other sports teams, such as Desert Vipers (Cricket) in the International League T20 (ILT20) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (American Football) in the National Football League (NFL).
RCB huge fan base and impressive stardom would certainly prompt the Glazers to spend a hefty sum of money to add a reputed cricket team to their list of sports ownership teams. - EQT Private Capitals: The Swedish-based investment company operated across the international level is now aiming to make an entry into IPL and enhance its ownership record across South Asia.
Top Indian Heavyweights Group
- Adani Group: It was indeed the biggest regrettable moment for the Adani Group to miss out on the Gujarat-based franchise to the CVC Capitals in 2021. However, the Indian multinational empire owns its sister franchise, Gujarat Giants, in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
It is reported that the group’s founder, Gautam Adani, has been engaged in direct discussions with Diageo to secure RCB ownership deal. - JSW Group: Parth Jindal, the managing director of JSW Cement and the co-owner of Delhi Capitals (DC), was reported to be interested in acquiring RCB ownership.
According to the rules formulated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), no individual or group is allowed to own more than one IPL franchise. - Manipal Group: Known as the heavyweights of the educational and medical industry, the Manipal Group chairman, Ranjan Pai, is reported to have collaborated with investors. This is an initiative to revive the ownership by any Indian rather than an overseas authority.
- Serum Institute of India: Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of Serum Institute of India, is one among those strongest contenders who confirmed on his social media handle that he will submit a strong and competitive bid.
The 45-year-old voiced his opinion that it was the perfect valuation and the right moment to make a bold move, investing in RCB
Corporate and Media Giants
- Capri Global Capital: Known as the big non-banking financial company (NBFC), Capri Global Capital has managed assets of more than INR 30,000 crore. The group founded by Rajesh Sharma is currently the active investor in the sports industry and owns the WPL franchise UP Warriorz.
- Blackstone and Carlyle Group: This is a top private equity investor in the USA, wwhich iscurrently exploring new opportunities to buy an IPL franchise.
According to their analysis, the world’s richest T20 league franchise is expected to grow and earn lucrative profits when new satellite and streaming contracts are signed. - Infinite Computer Solutions: Sanjay Govil, the owner, founder, and chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions, also owns the franchise Washington Freedom (WF) in Major League Cricket (MLC). The Indian-American businessman who experienced immense success in the US-franchise T20 league is reported to replicate his strategy in the IPL.
The Bollywood Stars
- Anushka Sharma: The gorgeous Bollywood actress and the wife of the RCB batting stalwart Virat Kohli is said to be involved in continuous talks with Diageo. The 37-year old is likely to acquire 3% ownership in sports that values around INR 400 to 500 crore approximately.
- Ranbir Kapoor: The Mumbai City Football Club in the Indian Super League (ISL) owned by Ranbir Kapoor is keen to acquire 2% ownership share in IPL.
Also Read: Australia vs Bangladesh WTC 2026: Full Test Series Schedule Revealed!
Overall Verdict
The above mentioned list of global investors is the news acquired from various sources, and the names revealedares purely based on prediction. In other words, these are the strongest contenders reported to secure the ownership rights of IPL’s valuable franchise.
However, the final confirmation regarding RCB new owner is yet to be confirmed officially.
