File image of Royal Challengers Bengaluru after winning the IPL 2025 title | Photo credit: Vijay Soneji
United Spirits Ltd. (USL), the Indian arm of London-based Diageo, is launching a strategic review of its investment in its wholly-owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd. (RCSPL), the company that owns Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the firm said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday.
Praveen Someshwar, Managing Director and CEO of USL said, “RCSPL is a valuable and strategic asset for USL, but not core to our alcobev business.”
“This move would reinforce USL & Diageo’s commitment to continue revising its business portfolio in India to consistently deliver long-term value to all its stakeholders while keeping RCSPL’s best interest in mind,” Someshwar added.
According to the articles of incorporation, the business of the RCSPL includes the ownership of the RCB men’s and women’s teams that compete in the Indian Premier League and the Women’s Premier League. While the men’s team won the IPL title this year, the women were crowned champions in 2024.
Speculation that RCB would be for sale had been rife since the June 4 stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 during the franchise’s title celebrations.
The USL strategic review process is expected to conclude on 31 March 2026.
Published – 5 Nov 2025 23:21 IST
