RCB’s IPL 2026 opener also marked the first competitive match under the franchise’s new owners. The Aditya Birla Group-led consortium acquired 100% of the franchise from United Spirits Limited (Diageo India) on March 24, valuing RCB at INR 166.6 billion, or approximately $1.78 billion, making it the most expensive franchise in IPL history, according to Outlook India. Aryaman Vikram Birla serves as the new chairman.
The match at Chinnaswamy Stadium featured a poignant tribute: 11 seats were left empty in memory of 11 RCB fans who died in a stampede at the same venue last year, AP reported.
