IPL 2026 Winners RCB Officially Listed For Sale; New Owner Likely Before IPL 2026 – Mashable India

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), fresh off their historic maiden IPL title win in 2025, are set for a major ownership shake-up. United Spirits Limited (USL), the company that owns the franchise, has formally announced that it is conducting a strategic review of its investment in the team, effectively placing RCB on the market. The new ownership is expected to be finalised by March 31, 2026, ahead of the next IPL season.
The decision comes as a surprise to many, especially considering the team’s long-awaited championship triumph earlier this year. RCB, often one of the most commercially powerful IPL brands, ended their title drought in 2025, generating massive fanfare and further strengthening their market presence. Despite that success, the ownership group has decided to explore a sale as part of a broader financial restructuring.
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨

It is official!! RCB have been put on sale.

The process has already been initiated. There is confidence that the sale will be completed by March 31, 2026. pic.twitter.com/H0jkN1yTuP — Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) November 5, 2025
The disclosure was made through a regulatory filing, confirming that USL is evaluating long-term options regarding its stake in the franchise. The communication did not explicitly state the reason for the sale but emphasised that the review is part of the company’s strategic priorities.
Industry watchers believe the move is tied to global portfolio consolidation by USL’s parent company, Diageo, which has been tightening investments and divesting non-core assets globally. With IPL team valuations rising sharply over the past few years, the timing for a sale is seen as commercially favourable.
RCB consistently ranks among the most valuable franchises in the league due to its massive fan base, strong sponsorship pull and consistent brand visibility. Their IPL 2025 win is expected to push their valuation even higher, making them an attractive asset for corporate groups, investment consortiums and sports-entertainment companies.
Multiple buyers are expected to express interest, with early projections hinting that the sale price could surpass earlier IPL team acquisition benchmarks.
The target date of March 31, 2026, aligns with the operational calendar of IPL franchises. If the deal concludes within the projected timeframe, the new ownership will have the opportunity to shape RCB’s strategy, marketing decisions and player investments ahead of the 2026 season.
For now, team operations continue unchanged. Players, coaching staff and management will remain unaffected until formal ownership transfer procedures begin. The franchise is expected to hold stakeholder briefings once the review process moves to its next stage.
The potential sale marks the beginning of a new era for a team that has long been one of the IPL’s most followed sides. As fans celebrate RCB’s championship win, the coming months will determine who takes charge of one of cricket’s most recognisable brands.
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