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See the full story · 1 sourcesRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has cemented its status as the most valuable franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), becoming the first cricket team in history to breach the US$300 million brand value mark. According to global investment bank Houlihan Lokey’s 2026 IPL Brand Valuation Study, RCB retained its No. 1 ranking with a brand valuation of US$312 million (approx. Rs 2,600 crore), marking a 16% jump from US$269 million in 2025. The report highlights that RCB’s steep valuation curve reflects the compounding impact of sustained on-field performance, industry-leading fan engagement, and a digitally mature commercial ecosystem. The valuation benchmark comes on the heels of a landmark ownership transaction earlier this year, in which RCB was acquired by a consortium comprising Blackstone, Bolt Ventures, Aditya Birla Group, and Times of India Group at a reported valuation of US$1.78 billion — the most expensive single-franchise transaction in IPL history. ‘Franchise valuations have reached new highs’
The record valuation growth of IPL franchises reflects the league’s transformation into a globally recognised sports and entertainment asset, according to Houlihan Lokey. “Cricket’s evolution into a globally owned, institutionally backed asset class has accelerated further in 2026, with the IPL continuing to redefine the global sports landscape,” said Harsh Talikoti, Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Financial and Valuation Advisory business. “What the market confirmed this year, through landmark franchise transactions, is the extent to which the league can attract the caliber of global, institutional, and strategic capital it was built to draw. Franchise valuations have reached new highs, private capital participation has accelerated, and the league’s commercial ecosystem continues to diversify,” he added. Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia highlighted how the perception of IPL franchises has evolved: “They’re no longer seen as cricket teams that play for two months every year. They’re increasingly being viewed as long-term sports and entertainment businesses.” “Centralised media rights, revenue sharing, and financial discipline have created a model that’s stable and sustainable. That gives owners the confidence to invest for the long term,” he further added. ‘RCB’s fanbase intensity and connection are unparalleled’
Highlighting the reasoning behind the marquee acquisition, Satyan Gajwani, co-owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chairman at Times Internet, noted the unmatched strength of the franchise's community. “We were actively engaged in the processes for both the RCB and Rajasthan Royals, and both are great assets. Across the league, however, RCB’s fanbase intensity and connection are unparalleled, which made this a special opportunity,” said Satyan Gajwani. Emphasising the long-term runway for Indian cricket as a global asset class, Gajwani added: “Overall, we are strong believers in the growth potential of cricket as a global sport, and exposure at both the media level and the IP level fits that thesis. The IPL has the attention of the NFL with a fraction of its monetization, and as Indian per-capita income grows and connected TV penetration increases, we expect monetization to match up to attention. We are very grateful to be able to work with exceptional partners on RCB, and we all believe in both the opportunity for the IPL to continue to grow, as well as for RCB to create a real global brand and fan equity.” IPL business enterprise reaches $20.6 billion
RCB’s surge comes amid record growth for the league as a whole. The IPL’s overall business enterprise value grew 11.4% year-on-year to US$20.6 billion, while its standalone brand value rose 10.3% to US$4.3 billion. Behind RCB in the brand value rankings were Mumbai Indians at No. 2 (US$264 million; +7.9%) and Kolkata Knight Riders at No. 3 (US$245.0 million; +7.9%). The report attributed the league's overall valuation boom to growing institutional investor confidence, rapid Connected TV (CTV) adoption, and strong revenue visibility, as global capital increasingly views IPL franchises as long-term sports and entertainment powerhouses.
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