RCB sale enters final stage with price set around $2 billion

BIG money news in IPL. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – the team with Virat Kohli, the team that has NEVER won the IPL trophy, is being SOLD. And the price is around $2 BILLION dollars. That’s like 16,000 crore rupees. Let me explain everything in simple words.

Who Owns RCB Now?

Right now, RCB is owned by United Spirits (part of the Diageo company). They have owned RCB since IPL started in 2008. But now they want to SELL.

RCB is one of the MOST VALUABLE teams in IPL because:

They have a MASSIVE fan base (RCB fans are CRAZY.)
They play at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
They have Virat Kohli (the biggest star in the IPL)
They have a strong social media following

🚨BREAKING ON RCB SALE🚨

-Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer has reportedly been told to pay $2 billion. pic.twitter.com/pFXQrUXhz1
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) February 9, 2026

Who are the FINAL Bidders?

Many companies wanted to buy RCB. But after the Monday deadline, only TWO are left in the race:

Bidder 1: EQT (Swedish Private Equity Firm)

They are from Sweden

They put a BIG bid – around $2 billion.

They might join with an Indian company (not confirmed)

Bidder 2: Ranjan Pai + KKR + Temasek (Indian-US-Singapore Group)

Ranjan Pai – He owns Manipal Hospitals (very big in India)

KKR – Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (US private equity giant)

Temasek – Singapore government investment company

They joined together as CONSORTIUM

Who is OUT?

These big names DID NOT bid:

Glazers – They own the Manchester United football club

Adar Poonawalla – CEO of Serum Institute (made Covishield vaccine)

Glazers had shown interest in 2021 when two new teams (Lucknow and Gujarat) were sold. They offered $1.8 billion for RCB but didn’t go higher.

Why $2 Billion is HUGE Money?

Let me tell you how BIG this is:

Team	Sold For	Year
Lucknow Super Giants	$850 million	2021
Gujarat Titans	$750 million	2021
RCB (expected)	$1.8–2 billion	2026

What Happens Next?

Now the sale goes to EXCLUSIVITY PHASE:

Seller (Diageo) will talk to both bidders

They will choose ONE winner

This takes 45 to 90 days.

Then:

The winner tells the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India)

BCCI must APPROVE the new owner

New owner likely in place by September or October 2026

But Diageo wants to FINALIZE the deal by March 31, 2026. So they will work FAST.

What about the Rajasthan Royals?

Rajasthan Royals (RR) is ALSO being sold. They got bids that meet their expectations. Their price is around $1.3 billion. They are NOT in a hurry to sell in the coming months.

RR has struggled to find home ground (they play in Jaipur, Guwahati, and sometimes Dubai). But they won the IPL in 2008.

🚨BREAKING ON RCB SALE🚨

-Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer has reportedly been told to pay $2 billion. pic.twitter.com/pFXQrUXhz1
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) February 9, 2026

🚨WALLENBERG FAMILY BIDS FOR RCB🚨

🔴 Swedish PE giant EQT Group is readying a binding bid that could exceed the Glazers' $1.8bn non-binding offer.

🔴 EQT's bid could touch the $2-2.1bn range. pic.twitter.com/tvzNRVZdJn
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) March 13, 2026

Will RCB Still Keep Virat Kohli?

If the new owner buys RCB, they will PROBABLY keep Virat Kohli. He is the BIGGEST name in RCB history. He has played for RCB since 2008 and never left. He is a “lifetime player” for RCB.

But the new owner could make changes in team management, coaching staff, etc. We’ll see.

At the same time, attention has shifted to other global leagues where on-field performance remains the sole focus. Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s strong run at the top of the SA20 points table, driven by crucial bonus wins, highlights how franchise cricket elsewhere continues to thrive amid stability and sporting clarity.

Sunrisers Supreme: SEC Move Top of SA20 Table with Back-to-Back Bonus Point Wins

My Thoughts

You know what I think? $2 BILLION for RCB is CRAZY money. But RCB is not just a cricket team – it’s a BRAND. Millions of fans across India and the world. They sell so much merchandise. They trend on social media every match day.

Even without a trophy, RCB is one of IPL’s MOST VALUABLE teams. That shows the POWER of fandom.

I hope new owners keep RCB’s SOUL – the red and gold jersey, the fans, and most importantly, VIRAT KOHLI.

RCB vs CSK on March 28 is still happening with the current owners. Then new owners may take over in October. Exciting times.