RCB becomes 1st IPL team to get this prize

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has become the first Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise to cross the $300 million brand value milestone, as the league's overall business valuation surged past $20 billion for the first time, underlining how the world's richest cricket competition is increasingly being viewed as a long-term global sports and entertainment asset rather than a seasonal tournament.According to Houlihan Lokey's 2026 IPL Brand Valuation Study, the IPL's business enterprise value rose 11.4% year-on-year to $20.6 billion, while its standalone brand value climbed 10.3% to $4.3 billion, extending a run of double-digit growth and cementing its position among the world's most valuable sports properties.Also Read: The king in the west: Virat Kohli's stunning chase powers RCB to back-to-back IPL crownsRCB retained its position as the league's most valuable franchise with a brand value of $312 million, up 16% from a year ago, becoming the first IPL team to breach the $300 million mark.

The milestone comes in the same year the franchise changed hands in a record $1.78 billion transaction, the highest valuation ever commanded by an IPL team.The report argues that the twin milestones — a record valuation for the league and a record valuation for RCB — reflect a broader transformation in how investors view cricket.

Franchises are increasingly being valued not just for their on-field success but for their ability to generate predictable media revenues, build year-round fan engagement and expand into broader sports and entertainment businesses.From cricket teams to institutional assetsThe defining development of IPL 2026 was not just another successful season but the arrival of global institutional capital.Alongside the record RCB acquisition, Rajasthan Royals was bought by the Mittal family and Adar Poonawalla at a reported valuation of $1.65 billion, establishing fresh benchmarks for IPL franchise pricing.The report says these deals demonstrate growing confidence among global investors in the league's long-term commercial model, underpinned by centralised media rights, revenue sharing and relatively disciplined cost structures."Cricket's evolution into a globally owned, institutionally backed asset class has accelerated further in 2026, with the IPL continuing to redefine the global sports landscape," said Harsh Talikoti, Director in Houlihan Lokey's Financial and Valuation Advisory business.Also Read: Singapore's Temasek joins race for a slice of the $18.5 billion IPLHe added that the latest transactions confirmed the league's ability to attract "global, institutional, and strategic capital," while franchise valuations, private equity participation and commercial diversification continue to accelerate.RCB's rise goes beyond trophiesWhile RCB's maiden IPL title in 2026 provided an emotional high, the report attributes its valuation leadership to something far more durable — an exceptionally engaged fan base, digital strength and commercial maturity.The franchise added $43 million in brand value over the past year, widening its lead over traditional heavyweights.Mumbai Indians remained second at $264 million, followed by Kolkata Knight Riders at $245 million and Chennai Super Kings at $244 million.The report notes that CSK's growth has moderated as the franchise navigates the gradual transition beyond MS Dhoni's dominant playing role, highlighting how succession planning is becoming increasingly important for long-term franchise valuations.Satyan Gajwani, Co-Owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chairman of Times Internet (also the publisher of economictimes.com), said the franchise's fan following remains its defining strength."Across the league, however, RCB's fanbase intensity and connection are unparalleled, which made this a special opportunity."He added that while investors remain bullish on cricket globally, the IPL still has significant monetisation headroom."The IPL has the attention of the NFL with a fraction of its monetization, and as Indian per-capita income grows and connected TV penetration increases, we expect monetization to match up to attention."Digital becomes the new stadiumThe report identifies changing viewing behaviour as another structural shift powering the IPL's valuation.The 2026 season reached 1.06 billion screens, according to JioStar, with overall viewership rising 7% year-on-year.Connected TV emerged as the fastest-growing platform, registering 26% growth, while traditional linear television ratings declined 18.8%, reflecting a broader migration toward digital viewing.The opening weekend alone attracted 515 million viewers and generated 32.6 billion minutes of watch time.That shift is also changing the economics of the league, allowing broadcasters and franchises to build more targeted advertising partnerships and data-driven sponsorship models.Overall league revenues crossed $1.8 billion during the season.Brand table reflects widening commercial gapBehind RCB, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders continued to benefit from strong commercial ecosystems built over several years.Sunrisers Hyderabad climbed to fifth with a brand value of $168 million, followed by Rajasthan Royals ($161 million), Punjab Kings ($158 million), Gujarat Titans ($157 million), Delhi Capitals ($156 million) and Lucknow Super Giants ($122 million).Most franchises registered healthy year-on-year growth, reflecting expanding sponsorship revenues, stronger fan engagement and increasing investor confidence across the league.An IPL that keeps getting biggerThe report concludes that the IPL is entering a new phase of evolution where franchise values are increasingly tied to long-term business fundamentals rather than short-term sporting outcomes.With institutional investors entering ownership, digital consumption reshaping media economics and commercial revenues expanding beyond matchdays, the league is steadily positioning itself alongside the world's largest sports properties.For now, RCB sits at the top of that transformation — the IPL's first $300 million brand in a competition that has itself become a $20.6 billion sporting business. ...