RCB become first IPL franchise to cross $300 million in brand value

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has cemented its status as the most valuable franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), becoming the first cricket team in history to breach the US$300 million brand value mark.According to global investment bank Houlihan Lokey’s 2026 IPL Brand Valuation Study, RCB retained its No. 1 ranking with a brand valuation of US$312 million (approx. Rs 2,600 crore), marking a 16% jump from US$269 million in 2025. The report highlights that RCB’s steep valuation curve reflects the compounding impact of sustained on-field performance, industry-leading fan engagement, and a digitally mature commercial ecosystem.The valuation benchmark comes on the heels of a landmark ownership transaction earlier this year, in which RCB was acquired by a consortium comprising Blackstone, Bolt Ventures, Aditya Birla Group, and Times of India Group at a reported valuation of US$1.78 billion — the most expensive single-franchise transaction in IPL history.‘RCB’s fanbase intensity and connection…