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Rajasthan Royals Put Franchise on Auction Block as Jaipur Fails to Generate Profit

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 6:16 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Rajasthan Royals Eye a New Home as They Join the 2025 IPL Auction Block – RCB Seen as a Potential Buyer

The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction has opened the door for a dramatic reshuffling of the tournament’s franchise landscape. Among the most headline‑grabbing stories is the Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise’s decision to put itself up for sale and, for the first time, to consider relocating its home base away from Jaipur. The news has also ignited speculation that the most valuable club in the league – Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – could be a keen buyer, a move that would trigger a domino effect across the sport’s commercial ecosystem.

Why the Royals are Selling

The Royals’ owners, led by co‑chairman and former ICC Executive Committee member Rahul Singh, announced that the franchise had “no option but to put the club on the auction block.” A key factor driving the decision is the lack of a dedicated fan base in Jaipur. Although the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, with a capacity of 18,000, has hosted some memorable matches, attendance figures in recent seasons have consistently fallen short of expectations. The club’s latest season saw only 15,000 average attendance – the lowest in the league – and the revenue from ticket sales and match‑day sponsorships has been insufficient to offset the high costs of player contracts and stadium maintenance.

Financial losses are another major pressure point. The BCCI has disclosed that RR posted a net loss of roughly ₹350 crore in the 2023‑24 season, the third‑worst among the ten IPL teams. Despite a strong brand and a loyal core of fans, the Royals have struggled to secure the kind of commercial sponsorship that can keep a franchise profitable under the IPL’s revenue‑sharing model.

“We are facing a challenging environment in Jaipur, and the cost of staying here is unsustainable,” said Rahul Singh during a press conference on the day the franchise was announced for sale. “The only way forward is to find a buyer who can take over and find a new location that offers better financial prospects.”

The Possibility of a RCB Takeover

The Royals’ most likely suitor, according to sources, is Royal Challengers Bangalore – a franchise that has consistently topped the IPL’s market‑value rankings. RCB’s current valuation stands at around ₹600 crore, bolstered by a massive fan base, top‑tier sponsorship deals, and a history of winning titles (including the 2011 and 2016 championships). If RCB were to acquire RR, it would create a mega‑franchise with a combined roster of world‑class talent and a brand that resonates across the country.

RCB’s management has hinted at an interest in expanding its footprint, though no official statement has confirmed a takeover bid. Analysts believe that a merger would be mutually beneficial: RR’s players and infrastructure could provide depth to RCB’s squad, while RCB’s financial clout could solve the Royals’ liquidity crisis.

The BCCI’s auction rules allow for franchise mergers and takeovers, provided the new entity meets the board’s financial criteria and is approved by the league’s governing body. However, such a move would require a unanimous vote from all franchise owners and would trigger a re‑valuation of all club assets and contracts.

A Move to a New City

While the auction is the first step toward a change in ownership, the Royals are also exploring relocation options. Jaipur’s stadium, although iconic, faces constraints in terms of seating capacity and commercial potential. The franchise has been in talks with local authorities in several cities that could offer a more favourable environment for the club’s growth.

Gujarat’s Surat and Ahmedabad are frequently mentioned as potential destinations, given their vibrant cricket fan bases and recent development of modern sports infrastructure. The city of Delhi is another possibility, particularly with the presence of the Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium, which could serve as a new home for the Royals’ matches.

If the Royals do move, it would be the first time a franchise has relocated in the IPL’s relatively short history. This shift would raise questions about fan loyalty, local sponsorship deals, and the league’s regulatory framework for relocating teams. The BCCI has yet to release a definitive stance on the matter, but a precedent has already been set with the Chennai Super Kings’ relocation to Chennai and the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s move to Hyderabad.

The Broader Implications for the IPL

The Royals’ sale and potential relocation underscore the growing commercial pressures on IPL franchises. The league’s revenue‑sharing model, while generous, is still insufficient for clubs that do not have a strong local market or high‑profile players to attract sponsorships. The financial dynamics of the league mean that the most valuable franchises (like RCB) can potentially consolidate power by buying out weaker competitors.

A RCB takeover would likely spark a wave of strategic realignments across the league. Other franchises could be pressured to either invest heavily in talent and branding or consider mergers. On the other hand, the sale of RR could inject fresh investment into the team, possibly revitalising its brand and ensuring a return to profitability.

Moreover, the IPL’s 2025 auction will bring 20 new players and a range of marquee signings to the league. The composition of the auction is expected to be highly competitive, with clubs bidding aggressively for top talent to boost their on‑field performance and commercial appeal. If RR is indeed bought by RCB, the combined squad could become a formidable contender, reshaping the competitive balance.

Key Takeaways

In the end, the Royals’ decision to put itself on the auction block and explore a move away from Jaipur signals a pivotal moment for the IPL. The coming months will see the league’s governance bodies weigh the implications of a major franchise takeover and relocation, while fans across the country watch anxiously to see whether their beloved team will find a new home and a brighter future.