IPL 2026: March 16 Final Deadline for RCB and RR Sale Bids, Key Buyers Revealed
Today is the deadline for buyers to submit their bids for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. RCB’s current owner, Diageo, has put the franchise up for sale. Rajasthan Royals, owned by Emerging Media Ventures led by Manoj Badale, is also looking to sell a majority stake. The development in the process comes just 12 days before the start of IPL 2026, which is scheduled to begin from March 28 onwards.
According to State of Play Club, March 16 is the final day for interested buyers to submit official bids for RR and RCB. Six parties are ready to bid for IPL 2025 champions RCB, while four parties are in the race to buy a majority stake in RR. Among the parties interested in buying RCB include EQT, Avram Glazer, Ranjan Pai and KKR, Adar Poonawalla, the Times of India Group, Premji Invest and Capri Global. As for RR, Aditya Birla Group along with Bolt Ventures, the Times of India Group, Capri Global, Avram Glazer and Kal Somani are in the running.
On Sunday, reports said former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has joined hands with Kal Somani to bid for a majority stake in RR. As for RCB, the franchise is believed to be worth around $1.5 to $2 billion. Earlier, reports had suggested that Diageo wanted to sell RCB ahead of IPL 2026 as they were worried about the downfall in the brand’s value after Virat Kohli’s imminent exit, apart from the Bengaluru stampede which affected the franchise deeply.
RCB interested parties
EQT
Aditya Birla Group, with David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures
Avram Glazer, through Lancer Capital
Ranjan Pai, with KKR and Temasek
Adar Poonawalla, with TPG
Times of India Group
Others mentioned: Premji Invest, Capri Global
RR interested parties
Times of India Group
Capri Global
Avram Glazer, through Lancer Capital
Kal Somani, with Rob Walton
