Contents
Indian Premier League cricket franchise
Founded as Royal Challengers Bangalore; Vijay Mallya wins bid at $111.6 million
2008
First IPL final — lost to Deccan Chargers
2009
Second IPL final — lost to Chennai Super Kings
2011
Chris Gayle scores 175 not out, setting the all-time IPL individual record
2013
Virat Kohli appointed captain
2013
Third IPL final — lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad
2016
Virat Kohli steps down as captain
2021
Rebranded from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Royal Challengers Bengaluru
2024
Won first IPL title
2025
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is a franchise cricket team competing in the Indian Premier League, based at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka.1 The franchise was founded in 2008 as one of the original eight teams in the IPL's inaugural season.1 It operated under the name Royal Challengers Bangalore until a formal rebranding to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024, aligning with the official name of the city.1
Vijay Mallya, then chairman of United Breweries Group, acquired the Bangalore franchise at the 2008 IPL auction for $111.6 million, the second-highest bid after the Mumbai Indians.1 Mallya served as the team's public figurehead through its early years.1 Ownership later transferred to United Spirits, a subsidiary of the British multinational Diageo, following Diageo's acquisition of a controlling stake in United Spirits.1 As of 2024, the franchise was valued at approximately $117 million.2
RCB finished seventh in the inaugural 2008 IPL season.1 The franchise reached its first final in 2009, losing to the Deccan Chargers.4 In 2011, RCB advanced to a second final but were defeated by the Chennai Super Kings.4 These back-to-back runner-up finishes established RCB as a competitive side but also began a prolonged period without a title.1
Chris Gayle joined RCB ahead of the 2011 season and became one of the most destructive batters in IPL history while representing the franchise.3 On April 23, 2013, Gayle scored 175 not out off 66 balls against Pune Warriors India, a record that remains the highest individual score in IPL history.3 That innings included 17 sixes and 13 fours.3
Virat Kohli was appointed captain in 2013 and led the side for nine consecutive seasons through 2021.1 Under Kohli's captaincy, RCB reached their third IPL final in 2016 but lost to the Sunrisers Hyderabad.4 Kohli scored 973 runs in that 2016 season, the most by any batter in a single IPL campaign.3 He stepped down from the captaincy after the 2021 season but remained with the franchise as a player.1
In 2024, the franchise officially changed its name from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.1 The team reached the IPL final in 2024, their first appearance in a title match since 2016, signaling a return to form after several middling seasons.2
RCB won their first IPL title in 2025, ending a 17-year wait since the franchise's inception.4 The championship resolved what had been one of the longest title droughts among the original eight IPL franchises.1 The victory was widely celebrated in Bengaluru and among a fanbase that had endured three previous final defeats and numerous early playoff exits.4
Chris Gayle's 175 not out in 2013 remains the highest individual score in the history of the IPL.3 Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs scored in a single IPL season with 973 runs in 2016.3 RCB have appeared in four IPL finals (2009, 2011, 2016, 2024) before winning the tournament in 2025.4 The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 40,000, is known for its batting-friendly conditions and high-scoring matches.1
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is a franchise cricket team competing in the Indian Premier League, based at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka.1 The franchise was founded in 2008 as one of the original eight teams in the IPL's inaugural season.1 It operated under the name Royal Challengers Bangalore until a formal rebranding to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024, aligning with the official name of the city.1
Founded as Royal Challengers Bangalore; Vijay Mallya wins bid at $111.6 million
2008
First IPL final — lost to Deccan Chargers
2009
Second IPL final — lost to Chennai Super Kings
2011
Chris Gayle scores 175 not out, setting the all-time IPL individual record
2013
Virat Kohli appointed captain
2013
Third IPL final — lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad
2016
Virat Kohli steps down as captain
2021
Rebranded from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Royal Challengers Bengaluru
2024
Won first IPL title
2025
Vijay Mallya, then chairman of United Breweries Group, acquired the Bangalore franchise at the 2008 IPL auction for $111.6 million, the second-highest bid after the Mumbai Indians.1 Mallya served as the team's public figurehead through its early years.1 Ownership later transferred to United Spirits, a subsidiary of the British multinational Diageo, following Diageo's acquisition of a controlling stake in United Spirits.1 As of 2024, the franchise was valued at approximately $117 million.2
RCB finished seventh in the inaugural 2008 IPL season.1 The franchise reached its first final in 2009, losing to the Deccan Chargers.4 In 2011, RCB advanced to a second final but were defeated by the Chennai Super Kings.4 These back-to-back runner-up finishes established RCB as a competitive side but also began a prolonged period without a title.1
Chris Gayle joined RCB ahead of the 2011 season and became one of the most destructive batters in IPL history while representing the franchise.3 On April 23, 2013, Gayle scored 175 not out off 66 balls against Pune Warriors India, a record that remains the highest individual score in IPL history.3 That innings included 17 sixes and 13 fours.3
Virat Kohli was appointed captain in 2013 and led the side for nine consecutive seasons through 2021.1 Under Kohli's captaincy, RCB reached their third IPL final in 2016 but lost to the Sunrisers Hyderabad.4 Kohli scored 973 runs in that 2016 season, the most by any batter in a single IPL campaign.3 He stepped down from the captaincy after the 2021 season but remained with the franchise as a player.1
In 2024, the franchise officially changed its name from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.1 The team reached the IPL final in 2024, their first appearance in a title match since 2016, signaling a return to form after several middling seasons.2
RCB won their first IPL title in 2025, ending a 17-year wait since the franchise's inception.4 The championship resolved what had been one of the longest title droughts among the original eight IPL franchises.1 The victory was widely celebrated in Bengaluru and among a fanbase that had endured three previous final defeats and numerous early playoff exits.4
Chris Gayle's 175 not out in 2013 remains the highest individual score in the history of the IPL.3 Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs scored in a single IPL season with 973 runs in 2016.3 RCB have appeared in four IPL finals (2009, 2011, 2016, 2024) before winning the tournament in 2025.4 The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 40,000, is known for its batting-friendly conditions and high-scoring matches.1
