Rajasthan Royals have been sold to a consortium of US-based investors for a record $1.635 billion, marking the highest valuation ever achieved by an IPL franchise.
The bid included ownership of all of the Royals' branded teams — Paarl Royals in South Africa's SA20 and Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League — setting a new global benchmark for franchise cricket valuations.
The deal underscores the extraordinary commercial growth of the IPL, which has transformed into one of the world's most valuable sports leagues in the two decades since its founding in 2008.
Context
The IPL's total franchise value is now estimated at over $15 billion across all 10 teams. The Royals' 2026 IPL season begins in Phase 2 as they look to build on recent playoff appearances under their new ownership structure.