Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is officially up for sale, with the current owners, Diageo, aiming to finalize new ownership by March 31, 2026. This announcement was made in a letter to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), where Diageo outlined a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL), the franchise's parent company. RCSPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Spirits Ltd, which is part of Diageo.

In the communication, Diageo stated, "USL is initiating a strategic review of the investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, RCSPL. RCSPL's business comprises ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise team that participates in the men's Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL) cricket tournaments hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annually."

Praveen Someshwar, the managing director and CEO of United Spirits, emphasized that while RCSPL has been a valuable asset, it is not central to their core alcohol business. He noted, "This step reinforces USL's and Diageo's commitment to continue reviewing its India enterprise portfolio to enable sustained delivery of long-term value to all its stakeholders, while keeping RCSPL's best interest in mind."

The sale process comes amid speculation about the franchise's future, especially following a recent controversy related to a stampede during RCB's IPL title celebrations. Despite having won only one IPL title, RCB remains one of the most valuable franchises, largely due to the star power of players like Virat Kohli and its strong fan base.

Interest in acquiring RCB has been reported from various parties, including a private investment firm from the US, the JSW Group, and notable figures such as Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India and Ravi Jaipuria of Devyani International Group. Diageo has also engaged Citibank to assist with the sale process, which could set new valuation standards within the IPL, where team stakes are increasingly seen as prestigious assets. The anticipated valuation for RCB could reach up to $2 billion, reflecting the franchise's significant market presence and potential.