The IPL market may be staring at one of its biggest ownership shake-ups yet. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) decision to seek buyers has been public for weeks, the fresh twist is that Rajasthan Royals (RR) are now also believed to be up for sale ahead of IPL 2026.
RR up for sale before IPL 2026?
RR’s ownership is primarily held by Royals Sports Group (Emerging Media Sporting Holdings Limited), which controls around 65 percent. Minority investors include Lachlan Murdoch (13%) and RedBird Capital (15%). The Royals have a complicated history with ownership as Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra once held around 12 percent before selling their stake after the 2013 betting scandal that led to the franchise’s two-year suspension.
The update came from Harsh Goenka, brother of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka, who posted on X, formerly known as X.
“I hear, not one, but two IPL teams are now up for sale- RCB and RR. It seems clear that people want to cash in the rich valuations today. So two teams for sale and 4/5 possible buyers! Who will be the successful buyers- will it be from Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru or USA?
RCB already set for ownership change
Unlike RCB, who are openly pursuing a USD 2 billion sale through Diageo with a March 2026 target, RR have not issued any statement confirming sale plans. However, reports indicate the franchise is evaluating serious structural changes off the field.
As part of that reset, they are also considering relocating home games from Jaipur, following tension with the Rajasthan Cricket Association. Pune’s MCA Stadium has emerged as an option for IPL 2026, and the franchise is said to be in conversations with the venue. Coincidentally, RCB have also enquired about Pune due to uncertainty around Chinnaswamy’s availability next season.
RCB’s valuation has soared after their 2025 title win, attracting interest from business names such as Adar Poonawalla, Nikhil Kamath and Mohandas Pai. Hombale Films is among the leading contenders to acquire a stake in defending champions RCB as well. If RR also enter bidding officially, IPL could be headed toward its biggest ownership shuffle since the league expansion.
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