The 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) marks a new era in franchise ownership, with two historic ownership changes:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was acquired by a $1.78 billion consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group in March 2026.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR) was acquired by a US-based consortium led by Kal Somani for $1.63 billion in early 2026.
All ten IPL franchises now reflect a mix of corporate powerhouses, global investors, and high-profile individuals, with franchise valuations soaring due to the league’s growing financial strength and global appeal.
Quick overview: IPL team owners in 2026
| IPL Team | 2026 Owner(s) | Key Owner Name(s) | Company / Group | Year Acquired | Notable Change in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Reliance Industries | Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani | Reliance Industries | 2008 | Stable ownership; no change |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Aditya Birla Group-led consortium | Aryaman Birla, Ananya Birla (leaders) | Aditya Birla Group, Times Group, Bolt Ventures, Blackstone | 2026 | New owners – $1.78B deal; Diageo fully exited |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd | N. Srinivasan | India Cements | 2008 | Stable ownership; no change |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Sun TV Network | Kalanithi Maran, Kavya Maran | Sun TV Network | 2012 | Stable ownership; no change |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | GMR Group & JSW Group | Sajjan Jindal, Parth Jindal, Kiran Kumar Grandhi | GMR Group, JSW Group | 2008 | Stable ownership; no change |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Joint consortium | Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia, Mohit Burman, Karan Paul | Multiple individual owners | 2008 | Stable ownership; no change |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Knight Riders Group | Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Jay Mehta | Red Chillies Entertainment, Mehta Group | 2008 | Stable ownership; no change |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Kal Somani-led consortium | Kal Somani (lead), Rob Walton, Hamp family | US-based private investors (Walton, Ford family offices) | 2026 | New owners – $1.63B deal; Manoj Badale exited |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | Torrent Group & CVC Capital Partners | Jinal Mehta / Torrent Group, CVC | Torrent Group (67%), CVC (33%) | 2025 | Torrent acquired majority stake in 2025; stable in 2026 |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | RPSG Group | Sanjiv Goenka | RPSG Group | 2021 | Stable ownership; no change |
Major ownership transfers in 2026
1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): End of the Diageo era, rise of the Birlas
What changed:
- RCB was officially acquired on March 24, 2026, for $1.78 billion, making it the most valuable team in IPL history.
- The winning bid came from a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, ratified by the BCCI on March 25, 2026.
- Diageo fully divested its stake, exiting the sports business entirely to refocus on its core beverages business.
Who owns RCB now:
The consortium includes:
- Aditya Birla Group (led by Chairman Aryaman Vikram Birla)
- Times of India Group (Vice Chairman Satyan Gajwani)
- Bolt Ventures (David Blitzer)
- Blackstone’s perpetual private equity arm (BXPE)
Leadership:
- Aryaman Birla and Ananya Birla are leading the new ownership group, bringing a fresh strategic direction to the franchise.
Context:
- RCB had been owned by United Spirits / Diageo since 2016, after Diageo acquired United Spirits (which owned RCB).
- The franchise had never won an IPL title until 2025, when they finally lifted the trophy, which fueled their valuation surge.
2. Rajasthan Royals (RR): US-based consortium takes over
What changed:
- In early 2026, a US-based consortium led by entrepreneur Kal Somani acquired 100% ownership of the Rajasthan Royals for $1.63 billion (around ₹15,290 crore).
- This marks a new era for the 2008 champions.
Who owns RR now:
The consortium includes:
- Kal Somani (lead investor)
- Rob Walton – heir to the Walmart fortune and owner of the NFL’s Denver Broncos
- Hamp family – owners of the NFL’s Detroit Lions (sometimes referred to as “Ford family offices” in some reports)
Previous owner:
- Manoj Badale, who had held a 65% stake since 2008, exited as part of this transition.
Context:
- RR was the first IPL champions in 2008, led by Shane Warne.
- Despite a smaller budget historically, they built a reputation for spotting young talent.
3. Gujarat Titans (GT): Torrent Group becomes majority owner (2025, stable in 2026)
While not a 2026 transfer, GT’s ownership shift in early 2025 remains the second-most significant recent change:
- CVC Capital Partners originally brought GT into the IPL in 2022.
- In early 2025, the Torrent Group acquired a 67% majority stake, leaving CVC with a 33% minority share.
- Key figures: Jinal Mehta (Torrent Group), Siddharth Patel, and CVC.
In 2026, GT remains under this Torrent–CVC structure.
The other eight franchises: stable ownership in 2026
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Owners: Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani
- Company: Reliance Industries
- Acquired: 2008
- Net worth of owner: Mukesh Ambani is the wealthiest IPL owner, with a net worth of around $92.8–$99.7 billion (varies by source and date).
- Achievements: 5 IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020).
Mumbai Indians remains the league’s most successful and valuable franchise, with stable Reliance ownership.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Owner: N. Srinivasan (former BCCI president and cricket administrator)
- Company: India Cements / Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd
- Acquired: 2008
- Net worth: Around ₹7,200–8,000 crore (~$10 billion in some valuations).
- Achievements: 5 IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023).
CSK has maintained stable leadership and is known for its consistency and strong brand.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Owners: Kalanithi Maran and his daughter Kavya Maran
- Company: Sun TV Network
- Acquired: 2012 (replaced Deccan Chargers)
- Net worth: Around ₹44,166 crore (~$5.3 billion).
- Achievements: 1 IPL title (2016).
SRH is backed by strong media interests and is known for its powerful bowling lineup.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Owners: Joint ownership by GMR Group and JSW Group
- Key figures:
- Kiran Kumar Grandhi (GMR Group)
- Sajjan Jindal and Parth Jindal (JSW Group)
- Acquired: 2008 (as Delhi Daredevils, rebranded to Delhi Capitals in 2018)
- Net worths:
- GMR: ~₹26,666 crore
- JSW: ~₹64,000 crore
- Achievements: No IPL title yet, but reached their first final in 2020 and have been consistent playoff contenders.
DC benefits from a dual corporate ownership model with strong infrastructure and planning.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Owners: Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta, Karan Paul
- Structure: Joint individual ownership (no single corporate parent)
- Acquired: 2008
- Notable owner net worths:
- Mohit Burman (Dabur): ~₹86,666 crore
- Preity Zinta: ~₹125 crore
- Ness Wadia: ~₹55.8 crore
- Achievements: No IPL title yet; reached finals in 2014 and 2025 but lost both times.
PBKS has a diverse ownership mix of corporate and entertainment figures.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Owners: Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Jay Mehta
- Company: Knight Riders Group / Red Chillies Entertainment / Mehta Group
- Acquired: 2008 (for ~₹2.98 billion)
- Net worths:
- Shah Rukh Khan: ~₹6,500 crore
- Jay Mehta: ~₹29,166 crore
- Juhi Chawla: ~₹50 crore
- Achievements: 3 IPL titles (2012, 2014, 2024).
KKR is known for its star power and strong management, consistently making the playoffs.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Owner: Sanjiv Goenka
- Company: RPSG Group
- Acquired: 2021 (when the league expanded to 10 teams)
- Net worth: Around ₹37,500 crore (~$4.5 billion).
- Achievements: Reached playoffs in their debut season (2022).
LSG is one of the newer teams but has grown steadily under experienced leadership.
Richest IPL owners in 2026
Based on reported net worths:
| Rank | Owner(s) | Team | Approx. Net Worth (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mukesh Ambani | Mumbai Indians | ~₹7,73,760 crore (~$92.8B) |
| 2 | Kalanithi Maran | Sunrisers Hyderabad | ~₹44,166 crore (~$5.3B) |
| 3 | Mohit Burman | Punjab Kings | ~₹86,666 crore (Dabur) |
| 4 | Sanjiv Goenka | Lucknow Super Giants | ~₹37,500 crore |
| 5 | Shah Rukh Khan + Jay Mehta | Kolkata Knight Riders | SRK ~₹6,500 crore; Jay Mehta ~₹29,166 crore |
| 6 | N. Srinivasan | Chennai Super Kings | ~₹7,200–8,000 crore |
| 7 | GMR & JSW Group | Delhi Capitals | GMR ~₹26,666 crore; JSW ~₹64,000 crore |
Why these ownership changes matter
The 2026 ownership shifts reflect:
- Record valuations: RCB at $1.78B and RR at $1.63B show how much the league’s franchises are worth.
- Global investor interest: US-based investors (Walton, Kal Somani’s consortium) entering the IPL.
- Corporate consolidation: Stronger corporate backing (Aditya Birla, Torrent, Blackstone, Times Group) shaping team strategy.
- Long-term vision: New owners are bringing fresh strategies, branding, and investment into the league.
Final summary: Who owns which IPL team in 2026?
- Mumbai Indians: Mukesh & Nita Ambani (Reliance) – stable
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Aditya Birla Group-led consortium (Aryaman & Ananya Birla) – new in 2026
- Chennai Super Kings: N. Srinivasan (India Cements) – stable
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kalanithi & Kavya Maran (Sun TV) – stable
- Delhi Capitals: GMR & JSW Groups (Jindals, Grandhi) – stable
- Punjab Kings: Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia, Mohit Burman, Karan Paul – stable
- Kolkata Knight Riders: Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Jay Mehta – stable
- Rajasthan Royals: Kal Somani-led US consortium (Walton, Hamp family) – new in 2026
- Gujarat Titans: Torrent Group (67%) + CVC Capital Partners (33%) – stable since 2025
- Lucknow Super Giants: Sanjiv Goenka (RPSG Group) – stable
These ten owners and ownership groups are shaping the IPL’s future in 2026, with two of the league’s most iconic franchises—RCB and RR—now under new, high-value, globally-backed ownership.