Will RCB need to undergo a name change after IPL & WPL ownership change?

Earlier today, it was reported that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will undergo an ownership change before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The news didn’t come as a shock. For several months now, it’s been speculated that Diageo PLC are interested in selling the cricket franchise.

The British spirits giant considers RCB as a ‘non-core’ business and wishes to close this chapter. A few parties, like Adar Poonawalla, owner and chief executive officer (CEO) of Serum Institute of India, and Parth Jindal of the Jindal South West (JSW) Group, co-owner of the Delhi Capitals (DC), were interested in acquiring the IPL franchise.

How the RCB name came about

Now, it’s come out that RCB might undergo an ownership change by March 31, 2026. This news has die-hard RCB fans worried. They fear the franchise won’t just change owners but also its name. Much like what happened with the Deccan Chargers. That it won’t be Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which has been the name since the IPL began in 2008.

Let’s start from the start. The original name came after Vijay Mallya decided to name the IPL franchise after his Indian whisky brand, Royal Challenge. He thought it’d help promote his spirits brand for free. Now, let’s come to the ownership change bit.

Will RCB need to undergo a name change?

In 2016, when Mallya had to leave as Chairman of United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of Diageo, the company got control of the IPL franchise. Back then, it didn’t undergo a name change. That means it isn’t mandatory that RCB undergo a name change.

But it’s not entirely ruled out. You see, it’s up to an owner what they wish to name the franchise they own. The 2025 champions are currently under the trademark of Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited. This can very well be changed to something else if Diageo sells RCB.

Just 2 days ago, The Sun Group had decided to rename The Hundred franchise from Northern Superchargers to Sunrisers Leeds. Of course, there’s a distinction. Sun Group owns other cricket franchises like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

If a pre-existing cricket franchise owner acquires RCB, we might see a name change. But you can’t guarantee even that. RCB has the highest evaluation among all IPL franchises. To ensure the brand seems that way, the new owners may not decide to change the name.

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