With IPL 2026 scheduled to kick off on March 28, the cricket world is abuzz with news of a potential ownership change for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Current owners, Diageo, are reportedly looking to offload the franchise for a staggering ₹16,000 to ₹18,000 crore. As the market value of the team hits an all-time high, the auction has entered a thrilling phase.

Three major contenders are currently vying for the franchise: Ranjan Pai of the Manipal Group, Azim Premji’s Premji Invest, and the latest entrant—the Aditya Birla Group. Partnering with renowned American sports investor David Blitzer, the Aditya Birla Group has submitted bids for both the men’s and women’s RCB teams. Diageo is expecting at least $2 billion from this high-stakes auction.

Interestingly, the Aditya Birla Group has also shown interest in Rajasthan Royals. However, per BCCI regulations, a single entity cannot hold shares in two different teams simultaneously. Should they win both bids, they will be required to let go of one franchise. As the IPL season nears, fans are eagerly waiting to see who emerges as the new owner of one of the league’s most valuable and popular teams.