Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending IPL champions, announced Nothing Phones as their new title sponsor for the next two seasons. The announcement was made on Instagram with the caption: “Two years. One partnership. @nothingindia, let’s do this.”
RCB COO Rajesh Menon said the partnership is a natural fit, as Nothing’s bold, creative, and next-generation approach matches RCB’s progressive identity and strong connection with young fans. He added that Nothing’s focus on innovation and design aligns with what RCB represents on and off the field.
Co-founder and India President of Nothing Akis Evangelidis cited RCB’s 2025 title-winning campaign as motivation. He said that the partnership was a perfect fit because the championship embodied the fervor and energy of cricket in India. The agreement also aids in Nothing’s fan interaction and expansion in India. In the past, RCB had a three-season contract worth about ₹75 crore with Qatar Airways as their title sponsor.
Nothing Becomes the New RCB Sponsor: Who Is RCB’s Previous Sponsor Before Nothing
Before Nothing became RCB’s title sponsor, Royal Challengers Bengaluru were sponsored by Qatar Airways. The deal was signed in March 2023 and was for three years, with a total value of around ₹75 crore. At that time, it was the biggest sponsorship deal in RCB’s history and the second-largest team sponsorship deal in the IPL.
Qatar Airways replaced Muthoot FinCorp as RCB’s main sponsor. As part of the agreement, the airline’s logo appeared on the front of the RCB players’ jerseys. The partnership helped boost RCB’s commercial strength and gave the franchise strong global brand visibility.
The deal also showed how valuable IPL team sponsorships had become, with franchise sponsorship revenues that season expected to be between ₹70 and ₹120 crore, depending on a team’s popularity and fan base.
RCB Sale Process Kicks Off as Diageo Circulates Financials
The possible sale of Royal Challengers Bengaluru has moved a step closer. Diageo, the current owner of RCB, has reportedly started the sale process by sharing the franchise’s financial details with interested buyers. This suggests that RCB is now officially in an active sale phase.
RCB, which won the IPL title in 2025 by defeating Punjab Kings in the final, is one of the most valuable teams in the league. According to a report by Sportico, Diageo, through its Indian arm United Spirits, has circulated RCB’s books to potential buyers. A source with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed that the initial groundwork for the sale is now in place.
This step involves sending out a Confidential Information Memorandum, also known as a CIM. This document is a key part of any sales process. It usually runs between 30 and 150 pages and includes detailed information about the franchise’s financial performance, sponsorship income, commercial rights, brand value, and future growth potential.
The franchise is reportedly valued at close to 2 billion dollars. Interest has already been shown by big names. Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla had earlier said on X that he would make a strong and competitive bid for RCB, though it is not clear if a formal offer has been submitted yet.
The report also said that United Spirits has appointed Citigroup as its advisor for the sale. The process is expected to attract private equity firms, institutional investors, and wealthy individuals. As per reports, the sale could be completed by the end of March, before the start of 2026 IPL.
FAQs
Q. Who is RCB’s new title sponsor?
A. Nothing phones became RCB’s new title sponsor.
Q. What was the value of the Qatar Airways sponsorship?
A. The deal was worth around ₹75 crore.
Q. Who owns RCB currently?
A. RCB is owned by Diageo through its Indian arm, United Spirits.
Q. What is RCB’s reported valuation?
A. RCB is valued at close to 2 billion dollars.
Q. When could the RCB sale be completed?
A. The sale could be completed by the end of March, before 2025 IPL.
Get IPL 2026 Live Score, Team Updates, along with the Latest Player News at IceCric.News and Follow for Live Updates – Facebook & Instagram.
