Last night, it was widely reported that the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has entered into the official process to get a new owner ahead of the IPL 2026 season. 

Diageo's subsidiary, United Spirits Limited (USL), has formally initiated a "Strategic Review" of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL/WPL franchise, signalling a likely sale to a new owner. The company cited the club as a non-core asset to its alcobev business. The process, which involves both the men's and Women's Premier League (WPL) teams, is expected to conclude by March 31, 2026.

Now, another question has emerged: will the new owner continue all the operations under the 'Royal Challengers Bengaluru' name, or can they make some changes to the team name?

If we think about the business aspects, then the owner can consider changing the name, as 'Royal Challenge' is the name of a liquor brand owned by Diageo PLC. A different company promoting another brand's name may not happen. Which means, in the near future, the popular name 'RCB' can be placed in the pages of history. 

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'RCB' Name Set to Change? 

Along with the cricketers, the Indian Premier League is an ideal stage for companies to promote their brands. It can be a dream for many well-established, internationally recognized companies to showcase their brand name in the cash-rich league.

Following the disclosure in the public domain, including various social media platforms, it is now believed that the current owner of RCB has initiated the process to sell the franchise, which boasts a huge and loyal fan base. 

"The USL is initiating a strategic review of the investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, RCSPL. RCSPL's business comprises ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise team, which participates in the men's Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL) cricket tournaments hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annually. It is expected that the process will conclude by March 31, 2026," the company has stated in its disclosure. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is RCB being sold by Diageo?

The owner, Diageo/USL, has formally stated that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise is a "non-core asset" to its primary alcoholic beverage business, leading to the strategic sale.

2. Will the RCB team name change under the new owner?

Yes, a name change is highly likely. The current name is tied to Diageo's 'Royal Challenge' liquor brand, which conflicts with the need to avoid surrogate advertising under a new, unrelated owner.

3. When will the RCB sale and new ownership be finalized?

Diageo has disclosed that the "Strategic Review" process, which includes the sale of both the IPL and WPL teams, is expected to conclude by March 31, 2026.

4. Which major companies are potential bidders to buy the RCB franchise?

Leading corporate entities and investors, including the Adani Group, JSW Group, and Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute, have been widely reported as potential bidders for the franchise.