RCB’s ambassador story is a bit different from a typical consumer brand — it blends celebrity brand ambassadors who represent the team’s public image, and jersey/title sponsors, which are sometimes loosely called “brand ambassadors” too. As of 2026, RCB is coming off its maiden IPL championship win in 2025, ending an 18-year title drought and entering the season as defending champions, which has significantly boosted its commercial appeal.
On ownership: RCB was acquired in 2026 by a consortium of Aditya Birla Group, The Times Group, and Blackstone for a record $1.78 billion — the highest valuation for any IPL franchise.
On sponsorship: Smartphone company Nothing has taken over as the team’s shirtfront/title sponsor for the 2026 season, replacing Qatar Airways. Nothing is now RCB’s official Title Sponsor, though celebrity ambassadors remain a separate, distinct part of RCB’s brand identity.
RCB Brand Ambassador History
Since 2008, RCB has worked with a number of well-known celebrity brand ambassadors to build fan affinity and reinforce its brand identity. Key names over the years:
| Ambassador | Notes |
|---|---|
| Katrina Kaif | RCB’s first-ever brand ambassador, in 2008. |
| Deepika Padukone | Later served as an RCB ambassador. |
| Ramya | Kannada film actress, associated as an ambassador. |
| Puneeth Rajkumar | Popular Kannada (“Sandalwood”) star, RCB ambassador. |
| Shiva Rajkumar | Kannada film industry veteran. |
| Upendra | Kannada actor and filmmaker. |
| Ganesh | Kannada actor. |
Every one of these ambassadors promoted RCB during matches, events, and special campaigns, contributing to the team’s brand image and fan connect. Notably, RCB leaned heavily on Kannada film industry stars (Ramya, Puneeth Rajkumar, Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, Ganesh) to build a strong regional/Karnataka connect, alongside pan-India Bollywood names (Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone).
It’s also worth noting that RCB’s biggest brand driver historically hasn’t been a formally appointed “ambassador” but captain Virat Kohli — his popularity is widely credited with transforming RCB into one of the most-followed cricket teams globally, even during years without a title.
FAQ
Q: Who is RCB’s current brand ambassador in 2026?
A: There’s no single, prominently reported “official brand ambassador” announcement for the 2026 season in current coverage — the marketing focus this year is more centered on the new title sponsor, Nothing, and RCB’s status as defending champions.
Q: Who was RCB’s first brand ambassador?
A: Katrina Kaif, back in 2008 — the franchise’s inaugural year.
Q: Is Virat Kohli RCB’s brand ambassador?
A: Not formally in the “brand ambassador” sense — he’s a player and long-time captain — but he’s been described as the single biggest driver of RCB’s popularity and commercial value for over a decade.
Q: What’s the difference between RCB’s “brand ambassador” and “title sponsor”?
A: A brand ambassador is a celebrity face who promotes the team’s image and connects with fans; a title sponsor (currently Nothing, previously Qatar Airways) is a company that pays for logo placement on the jersey and other commercial rights. Both get colloquially called “RCB brand” partners, but they’re distinct commercial arrangements.
Q: Has RCB’s commercial value changed after winning the 2025 title?
A: Yes — the title win reshaped RCB’s sporting identity and strengthened sponsor confidence, elevating the franchise from a commercially strong-but-trophyless team to a genuine champion brand. As of 2024 estimates (pre-title), RCB’s brand value stood at around $117 million, and it’s now among the most valuable teams in the league following the title win and record ownership sale.
Q: Does RCB have a separate women’s team with its own ambassadors?
A: Yes — RCB also fields a Women’s Premier League (WPL) team, captained by Smriti Mandhana, which has won the WPL title twice (2024 and 2026). Specific celebrity ambassador appointments for the WPL side aren’t as widely publicized as the men’s team’s.
Want me to dig deeper into current jersey sponsors/partners for 2026, or focus specifically on Kannada-industry ambassadors’ history with the team?
