![\"Royal_Challenge](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Royal_Challenge_Shot-F5FC08.jpg\")
Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers Bengaluru was named after Royal Challenge whisky<\/p>\nUnited Spirits, the Indian arm of Diageo, has agreed to sell its Premier League cricket business to a consortium for INR 166.6 billion (US$1.77bn).<\/p>\n
Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers Bengaluru was named after Royal Challenge whisky<\/p>\n
Diageo\u2019s United Spirits subsidiary entered into the sale agreement with a consortium that includes Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone\u2019s private equity fund, BXPE.<\/p>\n
United Spirits began a strategic review<\/a> to sell the Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) arm in November last year.<\/p>\n The subsidiary includes ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise teams, which participate in the men\u2019s and women\u2019s Premier League cricket tournaments.<\/p>\n Praveen Someshwar, managing director and CEO of United Spirits, said the deal would enable the group to focus on its core alcohol business to \u201cunlock its true potential with sustained growth\u201d.<\/p>\n Upon completion of this transaction, the consortium will acquire the rights to own and operate the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women\u2019s Premier League (WPL) franchises.<\/p>\n The IPL was established in 2008. Former United Spirits chairman Vijay Mallya acquired the Bengaluru team that year for US$11.6 million.<\/p>\n Someshwar added: \u201cRCB has grown into the most prominent and commercially successful franchise in the IPL and WPL. Guided by its \u2018Play Bold\u2019 philosophy and a strong competitive spirit, it has built a globally recognised brand and a passionate fan base. We are excited for the future of RCB under the stewardship of the new owner.<\/p>\n \u201cAs sports enters a new phase of growth in India and globally, we believe this is in the best interest of the franchise and our stakeholders.\u201d<\/p>\n The consortium combines expertise from across the areas of sports, media, technology and brand-building. Multinational company Aditya operates in metals, cement, fashion, retail and financial services.<\/p>\n The Times of India Group is one of the country\u2019s largest media conglomerates, while Bolt Ventures is the private investment platform of David Blitzer, a sports investor who owns stakes in major leagues such as the English Premier League, the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB and MLS.<\/p>\n Blackstone is described as the world\u2019s largest alternative asset manager, with US$1.3 trillion in assets.<\/p>\n In a joint statement, the consortium added: \u201cRCB\u2019s championship-winning culture, its deep connection to Bengaluru, and one of the most passionate fanbases in world sport make this an extraordinary opportunity. We are committed to taking RCB to new heights, on the pitch and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n The transaction is subject to closing conditions and legal, regulatory and other approvals, including from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the country\u2019s Competition Commission.<\/p>\n New Diageo CEO Sir Dave Lewis recently highlighted an opportunity to tap into the lower end of the market<\/a>.<\/p>\n The UK-headquartered group\u2019s sales in India rose by 8.7% in the last six months of 2025<\/a>, led by its Royal Challenge, Black & White and Signature whiskies, and Smirnoff vodka.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Diageo\u2019s Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) sales rose by 4% over the same period.<\/p>\n Related news<\/p>\n \n \n
\n TOTCF names Diageo World Class US finalists
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n
\n Ex-Diageo VP joins Redwood Empire Whiskey
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n