Rajasthan Royals Set Valuation Record As IPL Enters Billion-Dollar Era: In the IPL, trophies still play a big role in defining a team’s legacy, but money is now becoming just as important. The Rajasthan Royals find themselves right at the centre of this shift. The Jaipur-based franchise is closing in on a major milestone and could soon become the first IPL team to be valued at more than 1 billion dollars, which is roughly Rs 9,215 crore.
What makes this especially interesting is that recent seasons have not brought consistent success on the field. Even so, the Rajasthan Royals’ business value has continued to rise. The franchise is attracting serious interest from global investors, with several offers already crossing the billion-dollar mark. It is a clear sign of how fast the IPL’s financial side is growing.
Rajasthan Royals near historic valuation
According to sources familiar with the process, the Rajasthan Royals are on track to cross the $1 billion valuation mark. Four bidders have reportedly submitted offers ranging between $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion. For a team that has rarely been seen as one of the league’s flashiest brands, the numbers are striking and underline the IPL’s appeal beyond just on-field results.
To put this into perspective, the most expensive IPL franchise so far is the Lucknow Super Giants. They were bought by the RPSG Group for around Rs 7,090 crore, making the Royals’ potential valuation a significant jump.
Who owns the Rajasthan Royals, and who is bidding
Emerging Media Ventures currently owns the Rajasthan Royals along with RedBird Capital Partners and Tiger Global. One of the bidders is American investor Kal Somani, who already owns a stake in the team. He is joined by major global names such as Times Internet, Blackstone Inc., and Carlyle Group Inc., all keen to get a slice of the IPL’s rapidly expanding commercial ecosystem.
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On-field ups and downs have not slowed interest
From a cricketing point of view, the Rajasthan Royals’ journey has been far from smooth. They won the very first IPL title in 2008 but have reached only one final since then. That came in 2022, when they finished runners-up to the Gujarat Titans.
A gradual decline followed, leading to a major reset after the 2025 season. Despite these ups and downs, investor interest has remained strong, showing that performance on the pitch is no longer the only factor driving franchise value.
The sale is handled by a heavyweight firm
The sale process is being managed by the Raine Group, a firm well known for handling high-profile sports deals. Raine previously oversaw the sale of Chelsea FC in 2022 and Manchester United in 2024, highlighting the scale and seriousness of the Royals’ potential transaction.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru next in focus
Rajasthan Royals may just be the beginning. With such strong bids on the table, attention is now turning to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The defending IPL champions have one of the league’s biggest fan bases and strongest brands, and they are also exploring a possible change in ownership.
Sources close to RCB suggest that bids could come close to, or even cross, the $2 billion mark. Current owner Diageo is said to be encouraged by the numbers being discussed for the Royals and has begun testing the market. Given RCB’s popularity, many expect their valuation to comfortably exceed that of Rajasthan Royals.
Global investors eye multiple IPL teams
Adding another layer to the story, Blackstone and Carlyle are reportedly considering bids for both Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This shows just how aggressively global investment firms are positioning themselves around the IPL.
If the Royals’ sale sets a new benchmark, RCB’s could push the ceiling even higher. One thing is clear. Team form may rise and fall, but the value of IPL franchises keeps climbing, and the billion-dollar era is only just getting started.
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