IPL 2026: Are KGF and Kantara makers Hobale Films planning to buy RCB? Here’s what we know so far

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, fresh off their long-awaited baby girl Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, is currently the subject of a possible sale, making it a major talking point in Indian cricket. Team owners Diageo India have initiated a formal strategic review of their investment, confirming that the process could result in a sale or change of ownership.

Hobale Films linked to RCB sales after maiden IPL title

This announcement has led to intense media speculation, with Karnataka-based production powerhouse Hobale Films, the makers of KGF And Kantarawhich is emerging as a leading potential co-acquirer. The franchise’s valuation has reportedly risen to around ₹17,000 crore (USD2 billion), making it one of the most valuable teams in the world. The official review is expected to provide clarity on the team’s future structure by March 31, 2026.

According to the Hindustan Times, the formal process for a possible change in ownership of RCB was confirmed by United Spirits Limited (USL), the Diageo subsidiary that controls the team. This process, called a strategic review, is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026, ahead of the 2026 IPL season. The immense popularity of the RCB franchise, especially after winning the title, has seen its valuation rise to around Rs 17,000 crore, making it an asset of extremely high value.

This high price means any deal will likely be structured around investment consortia, private equity and phased exits. The sale has attracted interest from several high-profile bidders who have been linked to the potential acquisition, including co-founder of Zerodha Nikhil Kamath, Adani Group, JSW Groupdirector of the Serum Institute Adar Poonawalla And Devyani International. Ultimate control of the RCB men’s and women’s teams depends on the outcome of the USL review.

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IPL 2026: Local identity and proven track record of blockbuster success across India

The report further stated that Hobale Films has emerged as the most talked about potential buyer, driven by its local identity and proven track record of blockbuster success across India with films like Kantara and KGF. The studio already has a real commercial connection to the franchise, having been RCB’s official digital content partner since April 2023, producing promotional and fan engagement videos.

This partnership has sparked massive rumors and speculation about a hometown pride takeover. The potential collaboration has symbolic weight as both brands represent Karnataka’s modern identity, one through cinema and the other through cricket, which could deepen regional loyalty. However, despite multiple media reports of preliminary discussions, plausibility is not the same as paperwork. There has been no official statement from Homable confirming the talks, size of deployment or timelines, and no new regulatory filing from USL. The story is still a fill-in-the-blanks rumor at this point, and the jump to Hobale buying RCB is still just that: a jump.

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