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Diageo plans to sell Royal Challengers Bengaluru, including its IPL and WPL teams, by March 31, 2026, citing the cricket business as non-core to United Spirits operations.
RCB won the IPL 2025 beating PBKS in the title clash. (PTI Photo)
It’s official! Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is on the market.
Diageo, the UK-based liquor giant that owns both RCB’s IPL and WPL teams, has begun the process to sell the franchise, targeting completion by March 31, 2026.
In a disclosure to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on November 5, Diageo confirmed it is conducting a “strategic review” of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of United Spirits Ltd (USL).
“RCSPL’s business comprises ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise teams that participate in the men’s IPL and women’s WPL tournaments,” the company stated.
United Spirits, which markets brands like Royal Challenge whisky and Smirnoff vodka, said that while RCB has been a “valuable and strategic asset,” the cricket business is non-core to its primary alcobev operations.
“RCSPL has been a valuable and strategic asset but is non-core to our alcobev business,” said USL CEO Praveen Someshwar, adding that the firm will continue reviewing its India portfolio.
Media reports earlier this year suggested Diageo was seeking a valuation of around $2 billion for RCB. The sports business contributed 8.3% of United Spirits’ total core profit in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.
(with agency inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
November 05, 2025, 21:49 IST
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