EL7.AI
StocksMedium•25 March 2026•
1 min read

Blackstone and David Blitzer Acquire RCB Franchise for $1.78 Billion

Key Facts

1A consortium including Blackstone and David Blitzer acquired the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise for $1.78 billion.
2The seller is United Spirits, which is owned by the global beverage giant Diageo.
3The deal represents a significant entry of American private equity capital into the Indian Premier League (IPL).

A consortium led by private equity giant Blackstone and sports investor David Blitzer has acquired the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket franchise. The deal, valued at approximately $1.78 billion, involves the purchase of the team from United Spirits, a subsidiary of global beverage leader Diageo. This transaction marks a significant expansion of American private equity into the Indian Premier League (IPL), highlighting the league's global commercial appeal. The valuation sets a substantial new benchmark for IPL franchises, reflecting the high growth potential of the Indian sports and media market. For United Spirits and Diageo, the divestment provides a significant cash injection and allows for a sharper focus on core operations. Meanwhile, Blackstone continues to diversify its portfolio by tapping into high-value alternative assets within the international sports landscape.