The race among Indian Premier League franchises to build global cricket portfolios has accelerated in recent years, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru are taking a different path. Despite becoming one of the most valuable brands in the sport, the back-to-back IPL champions have no immediate intention of pursuing teams in overseas T20 leagues, with Times Internet Chairman and RCB Co-owner Satyan Gajwani telling Reuters that the franchise’s attention remains firmly on its next phase of development following a landmark ownership transition.
The comments come just months after a consortium comprising the Aditya Birla Group, Times Internet, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone acquired RCB for US$1.78 billion, as previously reported by cricexec. The deal ended United Spirits’ long association with the Bengaluru-based franchise and marked one of the most significant transactions in cricket’s commercial history.
A different approach to franchise growth
While several IPL organisations have expanded their presence into competitions across the United States, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the Caribbean, RCB’s new ownership group appears more focused on consolidating the franchise’s existing strengths before pursuing new ventures.
Speaking to Reuters, Gajwani said: “Don’t think we have any plans as of now. We’re a bit ahead of ourselves as we’re still focusing on closing the transaction and then thinking about where we’re going from there. I think RCB as a brand is very centred around Bengaluru and around cricket.”
The stance sets RCB apart from rivals such as Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, all of whom have established multi-league cricket operations as franchise ownership models continue to expand globally. Instead, RCB’s leadership appears determined to ensure the organisation’s foundations remain strong as it enters a new era under fresh ownership.
Global opportunities remain on the table
Although overseas expansion is not currently a priority, the franchise has not ruled out building a broader international footprint in the future. RCB’s commercial profile has grown significantly following recent success on the field, creating opportunities that extend beyond the IPL ecosystem.
Addressing those possibilities, Gajwani added: “The RCB brand warrants a global presence and that could be through other forms like academies that we could do on the ground, it could also be potentially through expanding into franchise cricket and other markets. It’s still a little bit in the air to decide whether or not we want to do that.”
The franchise’s recent achievements have strengthened its position among cricket’s most recognisable brands. RCB ended a 17-year wait for a men’s IPL title in 2025 before successfully defending the championship in 2026, while the women’s side secured Women’s Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026.
Focus shifts to supporters and stadium demand
Rather than pursuing immediate international growth, the ownership group’s attention is centred on improving the experience of an already sizeable and highly engaged fan base. Demand for RCB matches has consistently exceeded available capacity at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, creating one of the most sought-after ticket markets in world cricket.
Discussing that challenge, Gajwani noted: “One of the issues we have is the stadium can only fit as many people and it’s not easy to buy tickets for RCB games. So, hopefully, we’ll find ways to grow the stadium and ways to bring more fans into it.”
The venue currently accommodates approximately 33,800 spectators, leaving the franchise with a significant supply-and-demand challenge despite its growing popularity. As RCB’s new ownership group maps out its long-term strategy, expanding supporter access and strengthening engagement beyond the IPL season appear set to take precedence over joining the growing list of franchises investing in overseas leagues.
