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In a major shake-up for the Indian Premier League, billionaire vaccine tycoon Adar Poonawalla has officially confirmed his intention to acquire the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The announcement, made on January 22, 2026, follows months of speculation after the franchise’s parent company, Diageo, initiated a “strategic review” to divest its stake following RCB’s historic 2025 title win.
The “Competitive” Bid
Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India, took to X (formerly Twitter) to make his interest public:
“Over the next few months, will be putting in a STRONG and COMPETITIVE bid for @RCBTweets, one of the best teams in the IPL.”
Key Details of the Sale:
- Seller: United Spirits Ltd (owned by UK-based giant Diageo).
- Valuation: While Forbes India recently valued the franchise at $105 million, some reports suggest Diageo is aiming for a record-breaking valuation closer to $2 billion, given the team’s massive fan base and recent trophy success.
- Timeline: The sale is expected to be finalized by March 31, 2026, just ahead of the IPL 2026 season opener on March 26.
Why Is RCB on Sale Now?
The timing of the sale is a mix of strategic business moves and tragic recent history:
- The Championship High: RCB finally ended their 17-year title drought by winning the IPL 2025 and the WPL 2024, making it the perfect time for Diageo to exit at a peak valuation.
- “Non-Core” Business: Diageo has stated that owning a sports team is “non-core” to their primary alcohol-beverage business.
- The June 4 Stampede: The decision to exit was reportedly accelerated by a tragic stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during victory celebrations in June 2025, which claimed 11 lives and raised significant liability and safety concerns.
The Competition: Who Else Is Bidding?
Poonawalla isn’t the only one eyeing the “Red and Gold” army. Several major players are reportedly in the fray:
- Hombale Films: The production house behind KGF and Kantara (owned by Vijay Kiragandur).
- Adani Group & JSW Group: Long-rumored to be looking for full ownership of a marquee franchise.
- Nikhil Kamath: The co-founder of Zerodha.
The “Chinnaswamy” Uncertainty
Amidst the sale talks, RCB’s home ground for 2026 remains uncertain. Due to safety concerns following last year’s stampede, the management is considering moving home matches to Pune, Mumbai, or Raipur. The Karnataka government has granted conditional approval to stay in Bengaluru, but the franchise is still evaluating “grey areas” regarding fan safety.