RCB's name to be changed! Franchise legacy shattered with 1 move

In one of the most dramatic developments in IPL history, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have officially been put up for sale, and the franchise will have a new owner in the next edition. Diageo, the UK-based company that owns the RCB men’s and women’s teams, has decided to sell its entire stake in the franchise.

The company confirmed that the sale process has already begun and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.

The sale process is being overseen by a leading merchant bank, and several high-profile names have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the Bengaluru-based franchise. Diageo is now in advanced discussions with potential buyers.

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Diageo is now in advanced discussions with potential buyers

It was made public through a formal filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), where Diageo described the move as a “strategic review” of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of United Spirits Ltd (USL)—Diageo’s Indian arm.

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Now, the company has started a structured process to sell the RCB franchise and move out of cricket ownership.

This is part of Diageo’s broader plan to focus on its alcoholic beverages industry. The company has described RCB as a valuable and respected asset, but one that no longer aligns with its long-term goals.

RCB is non-core to our alcobev business: Managing Director and CEO of USL

As reported by Cricbuzz, Diageo said in its disclosure, “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 teams that participate 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. It is expected the process will conclude by March 31, 2026.”

Meanwhile, Managing Director and CEO of USL Praveen Someswar stated, “RCSPL has been a valuable and strategic asset for USL. However, it is non-core to our alcobev business. This step reinforces USL and Diageo's commitment to continue reviewing their India enterprise portfolio to enable sustained delivery of long-term value to all stakeholders, while keeping RCSPL's best interests in mind.”

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Adani, JSW, and Poonawalla among top contenders to buy Royal Challengers Bengaluru

According to several media reports, some of the interested parties include a US-based private investment company, the Adani Group, the Jindals of JSW Group, Adar Poonawalla from the Serum Institute of India, and Delhi-based businessman Ravi Jaipuria of Devyani International.

With such heavyweight names in the mix, the deal is expected to be one of the biggest in IPL’s history. There are also reports that the franchise name can be changed with new owners taking charge.

This comes as the current brand includes the previous owner's name. If such a move happens, the entire rebranding will have to be done for the franchise, considering how popular the brand has grown.

The buzz around RCB’s sale had been building for months, especially after the tragic stampede incident outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, where 11 fans lost their lives and many were injured during the IPL 2025 victory celebration.

RCB, one of the most popular IPL teams globally, has been a key part of the league since its inception. Despite never winning an IPL title till earlier this year, the franchise has built a massive fan base and boasts a brand value among the highest in the tournament.