Royal Challengers Bengaluru top IPL franchise valuations in 2026 at US$312 million
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the highest-valued Indian Premier League franchise in 2026 with a brand value of US$312 million, according to the latest franchise valuations, which place the league’s commercial worth north of US$20.6 billion.
The Indian Premier League began after the 2007 T20 World Cup and developed into a nearly two-month franchise competition featuring international players and owners drawn from Bollywood, major Indian business houses and other prominent figures. Teams typically played 12-14 matches per season, with performances in the tournament influencing national selection for some players. The league’s timing during the Indian summer has attracted large viewership and investor interest, and by US standards the IPL is second only to the National Football League in overall business value.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s brand value rose 16% year-on-year, from US$269 million to US$312 million, after consecutive title wins in IPL 2025 and IPL 2026 that made them the third team to win back-to-back championships. The franchise changed hands recently when a consortium comprising Blackstone, Bolt Ventures, the Aditya Birla Group and the Times of India Group acquired the team at a reported valuation of US$1.78 billion, and RCB became the first cricket team to exceed the US$300 million brand-value threshold.
Mumbai Indians occupy second place with a brand value of US$264 million, up 9.1% from US$242 million in 2025; the franchise has five titles from 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Kolkata Knight Riders are third at US$245 million, a 7.9% increase from US$227 million, and have won three championships in 2012, 2014 and 2024. Chennai Super Kings rank fourth with a US$244 million valuation, a 3.8% rise, and five titles earned in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023.
Sunrisers Hyderabad sit fifth with a brand value of US$168 million, recording a 9.1% year-on-year increase. Rajasthan Royals are sixth at US$161 million, up 10.3% from the prior year; the franchise is owned by the Mittal family and Adar Poonawalla and is reported at a valuation of US$1.65 billion. Punjab Kings are seventh with a brand value of US$158 million, a 12.1% rise, and remain a title-less side despite consistent performances in recent seasons.
Gujarat Titans are eighth on the list with a US$157 million valuation, a 10.6% increase from 2025; the team won the IPL in its debut season in 2022 and has reached the final three times in five years. Delhi Capitals, formerly Delhi Daredevils, are ninth at US$156 million, a 2.6% rise, and have featured in every edition of the tournament without capturing a championship. Lucknow Super Giants rank tenth with a brand value of US$122 million, unchanged from the previous year; the franchise, owned by Sanjiv Goenka, entered the competition in 2022 alongside Gujarat Titans and has yet to reach a final.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s US$312 million valuation sits atop the 2026 rankings while the IPL’s aggregate business valuation has surpassed US$20.6 billion, reflecting the figures released in the current franchise valuation report.