United Spirits Limited, a Diageo subsidiary that effectively controlled RCB after Vijay Mallya's exit, sold the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise for $1.78 billion (₹16,660 crore) in March 2026 to a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group and Times of India Group, marking a 1495% increase over Mallya's original $111.6 million purchase in 2008.

CURRENT STATE

The $1.78 billion sale price makes RCB the most expensive IPL franchise in history, reflecting its recent sporting success including the men's IPL title in 2025 and the women's WPL title in 2024. The transaction transferred ownership from United Spirits Limited, which had held the franchise since Mallya relinquished control around 2016 amid legal troubles, to a high-profile consortium, signaling a major shift in IPL franchise ownership dynamics.

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