The Indian Premier League is not just a cricket tournament anymore. It has become one of the biggest sports businesses in the world. Every year, millions of people watch the matches, but not everyone knows who actually owns these teams. Behind every IPL team, there are big companies, wealthy families, and even famous actors who have put in huge amounts of money to own these franchises.
In 2026, the IPL has seen some of the biggest ownership changes in its history. Two of the most loved teams, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, have changed hands in record-breaking deals. So if you have ever wondered who really owns your favourite IPL team, this blog will give you the complete and simple answer.
Let’s go through all 10 teams one by one.
1. Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians is the most successful team in IPL history. This team has won the title five times, in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. The owner of this team is the Ambani family, one of the richest families in India. Mumbai Indians is run by Reliance Industries, the company led by Mukesh Ambani. His wife Nita Ambani and son Akash Ambani are closely involved in running the team. The Ambani family has owned Mumbai Indians since the IPL started in 2008. Because of their strong support and smart planning, this team has become a global sports brand. They even own similar cricket teams in other countries, like one in South Africa and one in the USA.
2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Chennai Super Kings is one of the most loved teams in the IPL. This team is owned by N. Srinivasan through his company called India Cements. CSK has won the title five times, in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. For many years, this team was led by former captain MS Dhoni, and fans call themselves the “Yellow Army” because of their love for this team’s yellow jersey. CSK is known for being consistent every season and rarely misses the playoffs.
3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
This is one of the biggest ownership stories of 2026. For many years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru was owned by United Spirits Limited, a company that is part of the British drinks company Diageo. This ownership started way back when businessman Vijay Mallya first bought the team in 2008. But in March 2026, a big change happened. A group of companies led by the Aditya Birla Group agreed to buy RCB for about 1.78 billion dollars, which is around 16,700 crore rupees in Indian money. This is the most expensive team sale in IPL history.
Along with the Aditya Birla Group, this buying group also includes the Times of India Group, a company called Bolt Ventures, and the investment firm Blackstone. A young member of the Birla family, Aryaman Vikram Birla, has been chosen to become the chairman of the team once the deal is fully completed. The good news for fans is that the team name will not change. It will still be called Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, the full legal transfer needs approval from cricket’s governing body, so for the 2026 season, the old owners are technically still in charge on paper, even though the new owners are already involved behind the scenes.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Kolkata Knight Riders is owned mainly by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Over time, he has taken on almost complete ownership of the team. Actress Juhi Chawla has also been a co-owner for a long time and remains closely connected with the franchise. She is often seen cheering for the team during matches. KKR has won the IPL title three times, in 2012, 2014, and 2024.
5. Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals is jointly owned by two major business groups. One is the JSW Group, and the other is the GMR Group. Both these companies are well known in India for their work in industries like steel, energy, and infrastructure. Together, they manage and support the Delhi team, helping it grow both on and off the field.
6. Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Rajasthan Royals was the very first champion of the IPL, way back in 2008. This team has also gone through a major ownership change in 2026. In March 2026, a group led by a person named Kal Somani, along with earlier investors including Rob Walton and the Hamp family, bought full ownership of the team. This deal was valued at about 1.63 billion dollars, which is close to 13,600 crore rupees. Even though the deal has been agreed upon, the complete change in management will only happen after the 2026 IPL season finishes. Rajasthan Royals is known for finding and developing young cricket talent.
7. Gujarat Titans (GT)
Gujarat Titans is a newer team compared to others, having joined the IPL in 2022. Despite being new, they won the title in their very first season, which was a huge achievement. This team is owned by two groups. One is CVC Capital Partners, a global investment company, which holds a 33 percent share. The other owner is Torrent Group, a well-known Indian business company, which holds the remaining 67 percent share.
8. Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Punjab Kings, earlier known as Kings XI Punjab, is owned by a group of four people. This includes Mohit Burman, who comes from the family behind the Dabur company, Ness Wadia from the Wadia business family, Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, and businessman Karan Paul. This mix of business leaders and a movie star makes Punjab Kings one of the more unique ownership groups in the IPL. The team’s best performance so far was in 2014, when they finished as runners-up. The owners are known for being very active and visible during matches, often seen cheering loudly from the stands.
9. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad is owned by media businessman Kalanithi Maran. His company runs the Sun TV Network, which is one of the largest media companies in South India. This team joined the IPL in 2013, after the earlier Hyderabad team called Deccan Chargers was removed from the league. Since Kalanithi Maran’s business is mainly in media and television, this ownership gives Sunrisers Hyderabad a strong advantage when it comes to promotion and visibility, especially in South India.
10. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Lucknow Super Giants is owned by Sanjiv Goenka, who is the chairman of the RPSG Group. This is a large Indian company with businesses in many different areas like electricity, retail shops, and media. Before owning the Lucknow team, Sanjiv Goenka also owned another cricket team called Rising Pune Supergiants. Lucknow Super Giants joined the IPL in 2022, the same year as Gujarat Titans, and made it to the playoffs in their very first season, which was a great start for a new team.
Why These Ownership Changes Matter
The IPL is growing bigger every single year. In 2026, we saw two of the most expensive team sales ever, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru selling for about 1.78 billion dollars and Rajasthan Royals selling for about 1.63 billion dollars. These numbers show just how valuable IPL teams have become. What started as a cricket tournament in 2008 has turned into a massive business worth billions of dollars, attracting big companies, wealthy families, and global investors from around the world.
The owners of these teams are not just rich people who bought a cricket team for fun. They play a real role in building the team, choosing coaches, buying players in auctions, and creating a strong brand around the team. This is why some teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have stayed strong and successful for many years, because their owners have stayed committed and invested heavily in the team’s growth.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, the complete and simple list of who owns all 10 IPL teams in 2026. From long-time owners like the Ambani family and N. Srinivasan, to newer owners like the Aditya Birla Group and the Kal Somani-led group, the IPL ownership world is full of big names and even bigger money. As the league keeps growing, we can expect even more exciting changes in the coming years. For now, these are the powerful people and companies standing behind your favourite IPL teams in 2026.