After clinching their maiden IPL title yesterday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) brand value is expected to see a 25- 30 per cent surge, say analysts. According to a story published in The Hindu Businesslinethe team’s valuation had already jumped 67 per cent in 2024 to $117 million, ranking third among IPL franchises.

RCB’s brand journey has been carefully nurtured since its inception in 2007 by the United Spirits group. “RCB has always been among the strongest IPL franchises, backed by global stars like Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, deep local fan loyalty, and long-standing ownership,” said Lloyd Mathias, business strategist and independent director.

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“With this win, they’re not just among the top four, they’re possibly powering ahead,” he said. Mathias noted that the franchise has all the ingredients of a strong sports brand: a massive fan base, consistent leadership, passionate support, and a compelling brand story. “This victory only solidifies and elevates RCB’s stature further,” he added.

A key factor driving brand stickiness is consistency, especially with long-time players. Virat Kohli has stayed with RCB for 18 years—that kind of consistency builds deep fan loyalty, which translates into strong brand stickiness and value. When a player stays with a team that long, the loyalty gets passed on to the followers as well,” said Giraj Sharma, Founder-Director, BehindTheMoon Consultant.

RCB was already a brand that many large corporates wanted to associate with. “This win strengthens their premium positioning and will allow them to command better sponsorship deals,” said Santosh N, Managing Partner at D and P Advisory.

Udita Dutta, Founder of sports communication firm Artsmith.in, pointed to RCB’s merchandising success as another unique asset. “RCB is the only IPL team with a strong, profitable merchandising story. Their partnership with Puma, for example, has made premium jersey effortless,” she said. “This win, coupled with their innovative sponsor partnerships, could boost sponsorship values by 20–30 per cent. They, along with Mumbai Indians, are the only franchise to hold both men’s and women’s IPL trophies.

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While the franchise has seen steady growth over the years, experts believe an IPO may now be closer than ever. “Given the valuation of franchises and the fan following—now rivalling or exceeding that of (English Premier League) club (EPL), listing isn’t far-fetched,” said Mathias. “RCB is well-positioned to leverage this momentum for global tie-ups and even a potential IPO.”

RCB’s long-awaited win – after finishing runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016 – ends an 18-year title drought and marks a new era for the franchise, both on and off the field.