Sports
RCB tops IPL franchise rankings with brand value of US$312 million
Defending champions overtake Mumbai Indians as league’s most valuable brand
MUMBAI: Winning trophies fills the cabinet, but winning hearts fills the balance sheet. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fairy-tale rise has now been matched by a financial triumph, with the defending champions emerging as the Indian Premier League’s most valuable franchise brand, according to Houlihan Lokey’s IPL Valuation Study 2026.
The report valued Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at US$312 million, making it the first IPL franchise to simultaneously top both the league’s brand value and business value rankings.
After years of chasing elusive silverware, RCB’s back-to-back IPL titles in 2025 and 2026 have transformed the franchise from perennial fan favourite to the league’s commercial powerhouse.
Mumbai Indians (MI) retained the second spot with a brand value of US$264 million, despite finishing ninth in IPL 2026. Houlihan Lokey said the franchise’s long-standing partnerships, stable ownership under Reliance Industries and enduring brand equity helped cushion the impact of an underwhelming campaign.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) climbed to third with a brand value of US$245 million, overtaking Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the first time. CSK slipped to fourth at US$244 million, recording the slowest growth among the leading franchises at 3.8 per cent.
The report attributed KKR’s 7.9 per cent growth to the commercial momentum generated by its 2024 IPL title, the global appeal of co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, and the franchise’s entertainment-led identity, which continues to resonate with sponsors and digital audiences.
RCB’s rise was fuelled by more than just victories on the field. Houlihan Lokey pointed to Virat Kohli’s enduring commercial pull, the franchise’s integrated sponsorship strategy and the success of the RCB Women’s team, which lifted the Women’s Premier League title in 2026.
The report said success across both men’s and women’s cricket has helped RCB evolve into a year-round commercial property rather than a seasonal sporting brand.
Investor confidence has also played a significant role. The report noted that RCB’s sale to an Aditya Birla Group-led consortium for US$1.78 billion reinforced the franchise’s growing commercial appeal and long-term value.
Completing the top five were Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with a brand value of US$168 million and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at US$161 million. Gujarat Titans followed at US$158 million, narrowly ahead of Delhi Capitals at US$157 million and Punjab Kings at US$156 million, while Lucknow Super Giants rounded out the table at US$122 million.
SRH recorded 9.1 per cent growth after another playoff appearance, with the report citing consistent performances, squad continuity and commercial backing from Sun TV Network.
For Rajasthan Royals, the emergence of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi proved to be a major commercial catalyst. Houlihan Lokey said the teenager’s breakout season broadened the franchise’s fan base, attracted new sponsorship opportunities and boosted audience engagement. The report also highlighted the Royals’ proposed US$1.65 billion acquisition by a consortium led by Lakshmi N. Mittal and Adar Poonawalla as another significant milestone during the valuation period.
The latest rankings underline how the IPL’s biggest franchises are evolving into global sports and entertainment brands. While on-field success remains the fastest route to commercial growth, Houlihan Lokey’s study suggests that sustained brand value increasingly depends on a blend of sporting performance, star power, strategic ownership and year-round fan engagement.
