Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), also called Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is a cricket team based in Bangalore, Karnataka. The team competes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and was founded in 2008 by United Spirits. It was named after their liquor brand, Royal Challenge.
RCB has been runners-up three times (2009, 2011, 2016) and reached the playoffs in nine IPL seasons. Despite consistent efforts, they have not secured an IPL title. In addition, the team finished as runners-up in the 2011 Champions League Twenty20. Currently, Faf du Plessis leads the team, with Andy Flower as head coach.
Social Media Popularity
RCB ranks third among IPL teams for social media followers:
- Instagram: 15.3 million;
- Facebook: 10 million;
- Twitter: 7.2 million;
- Total: 32.5 million.
The team’s consistent star power, from Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid to Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle, has maintained a loyal fan base.
Home Ground
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore has been the home ground for Royal Challengers Bangalore since its establishment in 1969. With a seating capacity of approximately 40,000, the stadium boasts eight entry gates. Notably, it is the first stadium in the world to use solar panels for electricity. This innovation makes it a pioneer in sustainable sports venues.
Team Ownership
Royal Challengers Bangalore was initially purchased by Vijay Mallya, the chairman of Kingfisher Airlines and United Spirits, for $111.6 million. This bid was the second-highest in IPL history at the time. However, following Mallya’s loan defaults in 2016, he relinquished ownership. Today, the franchise is solely owned by United Spirits.
IPL Performance Overview
RCB has reached the IPL finals three times—in 2009, 2011, and 2016—but has yet to secure a championship title. The team has qualified for the playoffs in nine seasons and finished as runners-up in the 2011 Champions League Twenty20.
Brand Value and Financial Overview
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise’s brand value in the 2023 Indian Premier League was approximately $62 million. Since its inception in 2009, the IPL as a whole has grown by an impressive 134%.
Player Salaries (2024)
RCB’s player salaries for the 2024 season amount to ?863.5 crore (£8.46 million). Over the years, the franchise has spent ?821.85 crore (£80.54 million) on player wages. Virat Kohli remains the top earner on the team, receiving ?17 crore (£1.67 million) annually. Despite these investments, RCB is yet to win an IPL title.
Media Rights
The IPL’s financial backbone lies in media rights sold by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The league’s digital and TV broadcast deals have contributed significantly to RCB’s earnings. The 2022 media rights agreement for the 2023–2027 period further boosted RCB’s revenue.
Sponsorships
Sponsorship deals remain a major source of income for RCB. In 2023, Qatar Airways replaced Muthoot FinCorp as the team’s title sponsor, signing a three-year deal worth ?75 crore. Their logo now adorns the front of RCB’s jersey. Reliance Jio has been a principal sponsor since 2018, alongside key partners such as KEI. These collaborations have added to RCB’s financial strength.
Ticket Sales and Gate Passes
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, continues to generate significant revenue through ticket sales. Loyal fans regularly attend games, even during less successful seasons. The franchise retains 80% of ticket sales revenue, with the rest allocated to the BCCI and sponsors. After a hiatus from 2020 to 2022 due to COVID-19, the 2023 return to in-person matches brought increased ticket sales.
Merchandise
RCB also earns through merchandise sales. In 2017, they launched an apparel line with Status Quo and later collaborated with Puma in 2021 for an athleisure range. This partnership made RCB-branded apparel widely available and strengthened the connection between fans and the team.
Prize Money
Although RCB has never won the IPL, they’ve earned prize money as runners-up in 2009 (?2.4 crore), 2011 (?5 crore), and 2016 (?11 crore). These earnings highlight their consistent performance, even though they missed out on the trophy.
Sponsors
RCB has strong sponsorship deals that help grow the team’s brand and bring financial support. These partnerships involve some of the biggest companies in the market.
Main Principal Partner
Qatar Airways became RCB’s Title Sponsor before IPL 2023. The airline’s logo is on the front of the men’s team jerseys. The deal also includes other branding opportunities for the airline with the team.
Principal Partners
RCB’s Principal Partners come from different industries.
- Reliance Jio: Reliance Jio has been a sponsor since 2018. Its logo appears on the left sleeve of RCB’s matchday shirts;
- KEI Industries: KEI Industries joined as a sponsor in IPL 2023. The company’s logo is placed on the back of the team’s jerseys. KEI also has branding at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the team’s home ground;
- Delhivery: Delhivery partnered with RCB in 2024. Its logo is now on the top-right corner of the team’s jerseys. The deal connects the logistics brand with the IPL audience.
Associate Partners
RCB has partnered with several companies to strengthen its brand and broaden its reach. These partnerships help the team connect with diverse audiences while supporting its growth.
- boAt: boAt is a leading manufacturer and marketer of audio products, adapters, and cables. In IPL 2020, boAt served as the Official Audio and Merchandise Partner for six IPL teams, excluding SunRisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals;
- In March 2023, it was revealed that boAt would become the Official Audio and Wearable Partner for both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans. Additionally, boAt continued its partnership with Kolkata Knight Riders and kept its position as their official audio partner for IPL 2023;
- Puma: Puma, the renowned German sportswear brand, signed a three-year deal with RCB to become the Official Kit Supplier starting in IPL 2021. This partnership also allows Puma to design and sell replica jerseys and RCB-themed merchandise;
- Nippon Paint India: Nippon Paint India, the Indian division of the Japanese paint manufacturer based in Osaka, joined RCB’s sponsorship family ahead of the 2021 IPL season as an Associate Partner. This partnership adds another layer of strength to RCB’s growing network of supporters from diverse industries;
- Birla Estates: Birla Estates, a key player in the real estate sector, remained an Associate Partner for RCB during the 2023 IPL season. Their logo appeared on the team’s matchday and training trousers as part of the agreement. Birla Estates continues to be listed as an Associate Partner on RCB’s official website;
- ConfirmTkt: ConfirmTkt, an online train ticketing platform, joined RCB as the Official Train Ticketing Partner ahead of the 2024 IPL season. As part of the partnership, ConfirmTkt’s logo features on RCB’s matchday trousers and training apparel;
- Hindware Italian Collection: Hindware Italian Collection, an Italian brand offering premium sanitaryware and faucets in India, became RCB’s Official Refreshing Partner in March 2022. The partnership includes branding rights, with the Hindware Italian Collection logo appearing on the right sleeve of RCB’s men’s team matchday shirts.
Official Partners
RCB has teamed up with several well-known companies for sponsorships. These partnerships span different industries and help the team grow and connect with fans.
- NVY – Enviously Yours: NVY, a Bengaluru-based LED TV manufacturer, became RCB’s official LED TV partner before IPL 2023. The partnership continued for the 2024 IPL season, with NVY staying as the official LED partner for RCB’s men’s team;
- Fever 104 FM: Fever 104 FM, part of HT Media, rejoined RCB’s sponsorship list before IPL 2023. The radio station had previously worked with RCB as their Official Radio Partner;
- Dream11: Dream11, an Indian fantasy sports company based in Mumbai, joined RCB as an Official Partner before the 2023 IPL season. The platform has remained a key sponsor for RCB;
- Royal Challenge: Royal Challenge, a brand of whiskey and packaged drinking water made by United Spirits Ltd, became an official partner for RCB in 2023. The brand’s logo appears on the RCB men’s team kit;
- Manipal Hospitals: Manipal Hospitals, a well-known healthcare provider in India, partnered with RCB before the 2023 IPL season. The agreement made Manipal Hospitals RCB’s official healthcare partner. The two worked on campaigns to engage fans and offer match tickets;
- Tap by Google Pay: “Tap by Google Pay” is a feature that allows users to make payments using their phones with Google Pay. This feature became an Official Partner of RCB before IPL 2024;
- Bisleri: Bisleri, a leading packaged water brand, joined RCB as an official sponsor for the 2024 IPL season. This partnership strengthens RCB’s connections with trusted Indian brands;
- bigbasket: bigbasket, the Tata-owned online grocery delivery service, became RCB’s official quick commerce partner for IPL 2024. The brand appeared in RCB’s promotional videos across their social media channels;
- PayZapp: PayZapp, HDFC Bank’s digital payments platform, became the official payment partner for RCB in the 2024 IPL season. Fans could enjoy exclusive cashback and rewards when using PayZapp to pay bills throughout the season;
- Naukri.com: Naukri.com, a leading online job portal in India, became RCB’s Official Partner for the 2024 IPL season. This partnership connects RCB with the job search industry;
- Hangyo: Hangyo, an ice cream brand from Karnataka, became RCB’s official ice cream partner for the 2024 IPL season. The announcement came in January 2024;
- Navitas Solar: Navitas Solar, a renewable energy company, partnered with RCB before the 2024 IPL season. The partnership highlights RCB’s commitment to sustainability;
- Kwality: Kwality, an Indian breakfast cereal brand, signed a partnership with RCB in March 2024, becoming the official breakfast partner for the men’s team during IPL 2024;
- Pexpo: Pexpo, a company that makes stainless steel water bottles and vacuum flasks, became an official partner for RCB in 2024. They will release co-branded products and work on promotional campaigns;
- KPT: KPT, a pipes and fittings manufacturer, became RCB’s official piping partner for IPL 2024. This strengthens the team’s ties with essential industries;
- Advance Decorative Laminates: Advance Decorative Laminates, a company that specializes in laminates and plywood, became RCB’s official laminates and plywood partner for the 2024 IPL season;
- Duroflex: Duroflex, a mattress company, returned to RCB as an official partner for IPL 2024. The two worked together during IPL 2018, with RCB stars appearing in Duroflex’s marketing campaigns;
- BoldFit: BoldFit, a Bengaluru-based company that makes vitamins and supplements, became RCB’s official partner. The partnership highlights the brand’s focus on health and wellness;
- Frido: Frido, a brand that makes shoe inserts, became RCB’s official insole partner for the 2024 IPL season;
- Kotak Life: Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance became RCB’s official insurance partner for the 2024 IPL season. Kotak Life’s branding appeared in RCB’s social media posts throughout the season;
- 92.7 Big FM: 92.7 Big FM, a radio station based in Bengaluru, joined RCB as an official partner for the 2024 IPL season. This partnership helps RCB connect with local fans;
- Hurricane: Hurricane, an energy drink brand owned by Budweiser, became an official partner for RCB in the 2024 IPL season;
- ITC Master Chef Creations: ITC Master Chef Creations, a food outlet from the ITC Group, became RCB’s official gourmet food partner in April 2023. The partnership brings new culinary offerings to RCB’s sponsorship mix;
- JioCinema: JioCinema, an OTT streaming service by Viacom18, signed a partnership with RCB before the 2023 IPL season. This partnership made JioCinema an official partner for RCB.
Conclusion
RCB is one of the top teams in the IPL. It has a strong squad, a loyal fan base, and smart partnerships. These factors help the team grow both on and off the field. The team has secured a range of sponsors from different industries, like Dream11, Bisleri, and bigbasket. These companies support RCB financially and help raise the team’s profile.
The team’s sponsors come from sectors like healthcare, technology, food, and beverage. These deals help RCB stay strong in the IPL. With such support, the team can attract top players and keep growing. RCB’s solid sponsorships will continue to play a big role in the team’s future success.
Also read about:
Sunrisers Hyderabad Sponsors and Brand Collaborations
Kolkata Knight Riders Sponsors and Revenue Analysis
Gujarat Titans Sponsorship Deals and Financial Partners
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