Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Diageo Begins Sale Process for Royal Challengers Bengaluru Cricket Franchise
A big company called Diageo, which makes drinks, owns the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket team.
This team plays in India's big cricket leagues for both men and women.
Diageo has just started to think about selling the team.
They might sell it by March 2026.
This is happening after the RCB men's team won its very first championship in the IPL league in 2025.
However, the victory party had a sad accident where some people lost their lives.
Diageo says selling the team is a 'strategic review' because cricket isn't their main business.
They make and sell drinks.
Even if they sell the team, it won't change the players or the games for the 2026 season.
If a new owner is found, they will go through a formal process, which might take until 2027.
Diageo, through its subsidiary United Spirits Ltd (USL), has begun a strategic review to sell the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket franchise.
The RCB franchise encompasses teams in both the men's Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women's Premier League (WPL).
The sale process is anticipated to be completed by March 31, 2026, following the team's first IPL title win in 2025.
Diageo is conducting this review as the cricket franchise is considered non-core to its primary alcohol and beverages business.
Any sale will not impact the 2026 season players or matches, with a formal new ownership process potentially extending into 2027.
- Who
- Diageo, through its Indian subsidiary United Spirits Ltd (USL)
- What
- has initiated a strategic review to potentially sell its stake in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket franchise, which includes teams in both the men's IPL and women's WPL.
- When
- The review process is expected to conclude by March 31, 2026. The announcement was made following RCB's first IPL title win in 2025.
- Where
- The announcement was made via filings with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The franchise operates in Bengaluru, India.
- Why
- Diageo is conducting a 'strategic review' of its investment in RCSPL, indicating a potential divestment from the cricket franchise to focus on its core alcohol and beverages business.
Diageo/United Spirits Ltd (USL)
Previous Reports
Confirmation of Sale Review
Diageo/United Spirits Ltd (USL)
Diageo, through its subsidiary United Spirits Ltd (USL), has officially announced a strategic review of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), which operates the RCB franchise.
Previous Reports
Previous reports suggested that USL had dismissed claims of selling RCB as 'speculative,' indicating a lack of official confirmation at that time.
- Current Owner
- Diageo (via United Spirits Ltd)
- Entity Being Reviewed
- Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL)
- Franchise
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) - Men's and Women's Teams
- Original Purchase Year
- 2007
- Original Purchase Price
- $111.6 million
- Recent Achievement
- First-ever IPL title in 2025
- Sale Process Timeline
- Expected completion by March 31, 2026
- Impact on 2026 Season
- No effect on players or matches
Sources
USL begins strategic review of RCB business, calls it ‘non-core’ to liquor operations
RCB Officially Up For Sale! Owners Eye $2 Billion For IPL 2025 Champions: Report
CONFIRMED! Diageo Put Up RCB For Sale, Process To Sell IPL 2025 Champions Likely To Be Completed Next Year
United Spirits puts RCB cricket team under strategic review as alcobev giant aims to focus on its core business
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Put Up For Sale, Likely To Get New Owner: Reports
RCB put on sale months after stampede during IPL 2025 victory parade
RCB up for sale: Diageo’s new team owner ‘strategic review’ to complete by FY 2025-25 end
