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RCB becomes first $300 million cricket team as IPL value crosses $20 billion

News9Live | July 29, 2026 9:39 PM CST

New Delhi: TheIndian Premier League (IPL) 2026 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have become the first cricket team in the world with a brand value of more than USD 300 million. According to the study released by global investment bank Houlihan Lokey, the IPL’s value has also jumped to USD 20.6 billion.

The bank’s Brand Valuation Report of 2026 said that the league’s value as a business increased 11.4 per cent year-on-year to USD 20.6 billion, marking a second consecutive year of double-digit growth.

The IPL’s standalone brand value increased by 10.3 per cent to USD 4.3 billion, with the league adding more than USD 1.1 billion in brand value since 2023. The reigning champions retained the No. 1 position among IPL teams with a value of 312 million, a 16 per cent increase from USD 269 million in 2025.

Mumbai Indians (MI) are placed in the second spot with a brand value of USD 264 million, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are in third place with USD 245 million and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are in fourth position with USD 244 million.

The study also said that landmark ownership deals during the year further boosted the league’s commercial value. RCB’s ownership changed hands through a consortium of Blackstone, Bolt Ventures, the Aditya Birla Group and the Times of India Group at a reported valuation of USD 1.78 billion, while Rajasthan Royals was acquired at a valuation of USD 1.65 billion, establishing new benchmarks.

The study also highlighted the IPL’s expanding digital reach. The study cited official broadcaster JioStar’s data, noting that the 2026 season reached 1.06 billion screens, with overall viewership rising seven per cent compared to the previous year.

‘Always believed the IPL would become one of the biggest sporting leagues in the world’: PBKS co-owner Ness Wadia

Punjab Kings’ co-owner Ness Wadia has said that he always believed that the IPL would become one of the biggest sporting leagues in the world.

“I just didn’t think it would happen this quickly. Today, when you see institutional investors looking at franchises and global capital entering the space, it validates the conviction we had back in 2008,” said Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia.

“The IPL has changed the way sport is viewed in India. It’s created careers, inspired investment, encouraged other leagues and built sporting brands that millions of people genuinely care about,” he added.

PBKS’ valuation has also grown from USD 76 million in 2008 to USD 158 million in 2026.