RCB bidders

The RCB Sale Explained: Know Who is Fighting to Own the IPL Giant?

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Published - Feb 10, 2026, 10:32 AM

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The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, have a valuation estimated at around ₹16,000 crore (roughly $1.5–$2 billion). The franchise is at the centre of what could become a landmark deal in the global sports industry. The RCB sale, initiated by Diageo, the UK-based liquor multinational that owns RCB via United Spirits Ltd, has generated interest from a diverse mix of massive net-worth individuals, global investment funds, private equity players and established sports ownership groups.

The sale is being overseen by Citi, which is handling the process for Diageo, and a final decision is likely by March 31, 2026. Interested parties have reportedly been asked to submit their final bids by late February. Sources suggest that RCB sale value is expected to fall in the range of $1.5 to $1.8 billion because of RCB’s brand value, mainly relying on Virat Kohli's legacy. The global superstar’s long association with the franchise has turned RCB into one of the most valuable IPL teams.

After winning its first-ever men’s IPL title in 2025, RCB stands out as a premium sports asset. The franchise is also the most fan base team in IPL. If the deal gets confirmed, it would not only go past nearly all previous IPL ownership transactions but also place the RCB deal among the most expensive franchise sales across world sports.

List of Top RCB Bidders Ahead of IPL 2026?

Multiple bidders are competing for ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru from global sports owners like Avram Glazer to Indian business heavyweights such as Ranjan Pai and Adar Poonawalla.

Media powerhouses like the Times of India Group and experienced cricket team owners such as Sanjay Govil are also in the bidding race. This wide-ranging participation from multiple sectors explains why the RCB sale price is being discussed in the billion-dollar range.

Bidder	Profile & Relevance
Avram Glazer / Lancer Capital	Co-owner of Manchester United and sports investor with interests including NFL and ILT20 franchises.
Ranjan Pai / Manipal Group	Indian industrialist leading Manipal Group, with a strong healthcare and education base
Adar Poonawalla	CEO of Serum Institute of India, India’s largest vaccine maker and one of the country’s wealthiest entrepreneurs.
Times of India Group	One of India’s largest media conglomerates across print, digital and broadcast platforms.
EQT Private Capital	Global private equity firm headquartered in Sweden with a large portfolio across sectors.
Premji Invest	Investment firm founded by Azim Premji, focused on long-term growth across sectors.
Sanjay Govil	US-based entrepreneur who owns Washington Freedom (Major League Cricket) and Welsh Fire (The Hundred).
Capri Global	Indian financial services company also involved in sports ownership (e.g., UP Warriorz in WPL).

Who are the Leading Bidders to Buy RCB in 2026?

The race to buy Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2026 has attracted a mix of multi-billion dollor ownerships, highlighting the franchise’s massive commercial appeal. Let's have a look at the top RCB buyers ahead of the IPL 2026.

1. Avram Glazer / Lancer Capital

A member of the Glazer family, Avram Glazer is a co-owner of Manchester United. Through Lancer Capital, he brings experience in global sports franchise ownership. The Glazer family’s combined net worth is estimated at $3.5–4 billion, making them frontrunners to compete for a marquee Indian Premier League asset like RCB.

2. Ranjan Pai / Manipal Group

Ranjan Pai heads the Manipal Group, an Indian conglomerate with major interests in healthcare, education, and related services. He is widely regarded as one of India’s leading business figures. Ranjan Pai’s personal net worth is estimated at around $2.7–2.8 billion, positioning him as a strong domestic contender for the franchise.

3. Adar Poonawalla

The CEO of the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine producer, Adar Poonawalla, is among India’s wealthiest individuals. His net worth is estimated to be above $20 billion, making him one of the most financially powerful bidders in the bidding war.

4. Times of India Group

Also known as The Times Group (Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd), this is India’s largest media conglomerate with dominance across newspapers, digital platforms, television, and radio. It is a corporate bidder rather than an individual, and a net worth figure isn’t publicly disclosed.

5. EQT Private Capital

EQT is one of the world’s leading private equity firms and is headquartered in Sweden, managing over €260 billion in assets under management. It is known for backing high-growth and long-term assets, but there is no official net worth disclosed for the firm.

6. Premji Invest

Premji Invest is the investment firm backed by the family of Azim Premji, the founder of Wipro. Azim Premji’s personal wealth has been estimated at over $10–11 billion (despite large donations).

7. Sanjay Govil

A US-based tech entrepreneur and founder of Infinite Computer Solutions, Sanjay Govil, already has experience in cricket ownership. He owns Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (USA) and Welsh Fire in The Hundred (UK). His exact net worth is not publicly disclosed.

8. Capri Global

Capri Global is an Indian financial services group with a presence in professional sports. The company already owns teams such as UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League and Sharjah Warriorz in the ILT20. While there is no single publicly revealed owner's net worth, Capri Global’s multi-billion-investments shows its ability to compete in the RCB bidding process.