Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), which operates the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), reported an 8% year-on-year increase in revenue to ₹545 crore for the financial year 2025–26 (FY26). Despite the revenue growth, the franchise witnessed pressure on net profit margins due to rising operational expenses and higher investments in player and team management.
The revenue growth was primarily driven by a larger share of the IPL’s central media rights distribution and central sponsorship revenues managed by the BCCI. The franchise also benefited from strong local commercial partnerships, premium sponsorship deals, ticket sales and corporate hospitality at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
RCB’s commercial performance was further supported by robust fan engagement across digital platforms, which helped drive higher sales of licensed merchandise following the IPL season. The continued popularity of the franchise has enabled it to maintain strong commercial momentum beyond on-field performances.
However, increasing costs weighed on profitability during the year. Higher player salary commitments, match fees, expanded support staff investments and rising operational expenses contributed to margin pressure. The franchise also invested more in venue operations, hospitality enhancements and digital content production to strengthen fan engagement and expand its global reach.
The financial performance comes during a significant phase for the franchise following the completion of the sale of 100% ownership by parent company United Spirits Limited (USL) to a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group and Blackstone in early 2026. The transaction, valued at ₹16,600 crore ($1.78 billion), marked one of the largest deals in global sports franchise history.
Under its new ownership, RCB is expected to focus on expanding global merchandising, strengthening international fan engagement and building long-term licensing partnerships to unlock additional commercial opportunities while further enhancing the franchise’s brand value.