Vijay Mallya IPL return

Ex-RCB Owner Vijay Mallya Back in IPL: Here’s What We Know

Sportsdunia Desk

Published - Mar 30, 2026, 05:40 PM

3 min

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to tighten its grip on the commercial world of cricket. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) already setting benchmarks in sponsorship value, brands are lining up to get a deal with the richest cricket league in the world.

Now, one of the oldest partner of the league, Kingfisher, has decided to expand its existing partnership with the Indian Premier League. Kingfisher is owned by Vijay Mallya, the former owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Kingfisher Expands Partnership Deal with IPL

Kingfisher, a premium packaged drinking water brand, owned by the United Breweries, is reportedly set to become IPL’s official partner through the 2028 season as per the reports in Sportcal. Notably, Kingfisher is already an existing partner of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which shows that how eager is the brand to keep its association alive with the most famous sports league in the world.

With this move, Vijay Mallya IPL return is also confirmed. Meanwhile, Devajit Saikia, the BCCI's honorary secretary, reacted to the return of Kingfisher in IPL and said:

"Our collaboration with Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water brings together the passion of cricket fans and innovative fan experiences that extend beyond the stadium. Through initiatives that enhance both broadcast and on-ground engagement, this partnership will help create memorable moments for fans across the country who come together each season to celebrate the game.” Saikia was quoted as saying by Sportcal.

Vijay Mallya IPL return marks a historic moment in the league's history. However, it remains to be seen how long this deal goes by. Currently, the businessman is accused of financial fraud of around INR 9,000 crore.

What Will Happen After Kingfisher Deal?

After this deal, Kingfisher will be launching multiple activations. This also include the Kingfisher Bird Cam and Kingfisher Good Times Zone which is an in-stadium entertainment centre which will be used in the post-season playoffs to enhance the atmosphere at the venue. Apart from that, Kingfisher will also be running multiple digital contests and engagement programs.

United Breweries’ chief marketing officer, Vikram Bahl talked about the partnership and said:
“Through this association, we aim to enrich how fans experience the game, whether in stadiums, fan parks, community screenings, or at home, by bringing them closer to the action and making every match more immersive, social, and memorable.” Bahl said.

The Vijay Mallya RCB relationship dates back to 2008 when he bought the team for the first time for INR 450 crore. Since that time, the team has grown in stature and went on to become the richest IPL teams. Currently, its valuation is around INR 16,660 crore, which is a massive achievement in itself.