The Indian Premier League (IPL) is experiencing a dramatic off-field development with reports indicating that the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the 2008 champions, might be up for sale. This potential transaction follows the recent announcement that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is also seeking new ownership ahead of the 2026 season. These simultaneous reports underscore a period of substantial transformation for established IPL franchises, as owners look to leverage the league’s surging franchise valuations.
Speculation regarding the Rajasthan Royals’ sale surged after an influential industrialist, Harsh Goenka, shared on social media that he had heard two IPL teams, RCB and RR, were looking to sell. He attributed this to owners seeking to ‘cash in’ on current high valuations. While RCB’s parent entity, Diageo, has initiated a formal ‘strategic review’ with a potential sale deadline of March 31, 2026, the Rajasthan Royals have not yet provided official confirmation. The overwhelming factor driving these possible sales is the extraordinary market value attributed to IPL teams. RCB, fresh off their 2025 IPL championship win, is reportedly targeting a valuation near USD 2 billion. For the Rajasthan Royals, presently majority-controlled by Royals Sports Group and with significant stakes held by investors like RedBird Capital Partners, this presents a strategic chance to unlock considerable value from their IPL asset at an opportune moment.
