RCB Up for Sale: Lalit Modi Confirms Diageo Seeking Buyers After 2025 IPL Win
Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi recently said that the owners of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are looking to sell the team. Diageo Plc, the current owner, wants to take the team off its balance sheet and is searching for buyers. After years of trying, RCB finally lifted the IPL trophy in 2025. The joy of the win, though, was shattered as tragedy struck Chinnaswamy Stadium with a stampede that led to 11 deaths and many injuries.
Lalit Modi said that Diageo Plc plans to sell the RCB team. He mentioned that the company wants to take the franchise off its balance sheet and is looking for possible buyers.
"There have been a lot of rumours about the sale of an @iplt20 franchise, specifically @royalchallengers.bengaluru.In the past, offers were denied, but it seems the owners have finally decided to take it off their balance sheet and sell it."Lalit Modi said in an Instagram post on Monday, September 29.
"Having won the IPL last season, with a strong fan base, an excellent team and a great management structure, it could be the only franchise available as a whole.I am sure one of the big global funds or a sovereign fund would be eager to include them in their investment strategy.There can be no better investment opportunity than this.Good luck to whoever secures it.It will definitely set a new record valuation and reinforce that the IPL is not only the fastest-growing global sporting league, but also the most valuable.The new price set by #RCB will become the floor price for all teams."
There have been a lot of rumour about the sale of an @IPL franchise specifically @RCBTweets - well in the past they have been denied. But it seems the owners have finally decided to take it off their balance sheet and sell it. I am sure having won the IPL last season and also… pic.twitter.com/ecXfU5n5v5
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) September 29, 2025
Diageo in Talks with Potential Buyers
There have been talks about Royal Challengers Bangalore being up for sale with reports saying that Diageo Plc has been in discussions with a few interested buyers. The team has attracted a lot of attention because of its IPL win, loyal fans and strong management. Lalit Modi added that big global funds or sovereign wealth funds would likely be keen to buy RCB as part of their investments and focus on India.
Lalit Modi predicted that selling Royal Challengers Bengaluru could break records, saying the price might set a new benchmark for аll IPL teams. In 2025, RCB won their first-ever IPL title under Rajat Patidar, defeating Punjab Kings in the finаl. The team hаd a strong season winning nine of 14 league matches and finishing second with 19 points. They then beat tаble-toppers PBKS by eight wickets in the first qualifier to reach the final. After losing three previous IPL finаls in 2009, 2011 аnd 2016, RCB finally lifted the trophy with a thrilling win at Nаrendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
