The UK-based parent company of United Spirits Ltd. has already begun the process and informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) about the move.
In a major development, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise has been officially put up for sale. The current owners, Diageo, have initiated the process of finding new investors for the iconic IPL and WPL franchise, aiming to complete the sale before March 31, 2026.
In an official communication to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Diageo described the move as part of a “strategic review” of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd. (RCSPL), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Spirits Ltd. (USL), a Diageo company. The disclosure was made under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (SEBI LODR).
According to the official statement, “USL is initiating a strategic review of the investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, RCSPL. RCSPL’s business comprises ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise team that participates in the men’s Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) cricket tournaments hosted by the BCCI annually.”
Praveen Someswar, Managing Director and CEO of USL, said that while RCB has been a strong and strategic asset for the company, it does not align with their core business objectives. “RCSPL has been a valuable and strategic asset for USL. However, it is non-core to our alcoholic beverage business. This step reinforces USL’s and Diageo’s commitment to continue reviewing its India enterprise portfolio to enable sustained delivery of long-term value to all stakeholders, while keeping RCSPL’s best interests in mind,” Someswar stated.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that several prominent entities have shown interest in acquiring the Bengaluru-based franchise. Among the potential bidders are US-based private investment firms, the JSW Group, the Adani Group, Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India, and Delhi-based businessman Ravi Jaipuria of the Devyani International Group.
With the sale process already underway, cricket fans and industry insiders are eagerly awaiting to see who will take over one of the IPL’s most popular franchises before the March 2026 deadline.
