RCB Breaks Digital Boundaries: A Season of Cricket and Clicks

RCB Social Media Growth Powers Through IPL 2025

In what has become a hallmark season both on and off the pitch, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have not only booked their place in the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings but also achieved a rare feat off the field—becoming the most followed cricket franchise in the world. RCB’s digital expansion this season has been as bold as their brand promise, marked by a stunning 25% growth in followers since March 2, 2025—the day the Women’s Premier League kicked off.

Their Instagram following alone has breached the 20 million mark, clocking in at 20.6 million as of early June. This achievement places RCB ahead of not just every other IPL team but all cricket franchises globally, and puts them shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s biggest sporting entities. In a crowded attention economy, this is more than a metric—it's a movement.

A Nationwide and Global Fandom Backed by Data

RCB’s rise in digital fandom isn’t limited to the gates of Chinnaswamy Stadium. Analytics from their Instagram page paint a compelling picture of a pan-India and global fanbase. While over 10% of followers hail from Bengaluru, there’s solid representation from metro cities like Mumbai (3.4%), Kolkata (2.9%), Delhi (2.8%), and Hyderabad (2.7%). The team’s identity, rooted in Bengaluru’s cultural charm, has scaled to resonate with fans far beyond Karnataka’s borders.

On a global scale, RCB’s 1.8 billion social media engagements in 2024 placed them third among all sports teams worldwide—just behind Real Madrid (3.3 billion) and FC Barcelona (2.3 billion). For context, that’s a level of engagement surpassing some of the world’s biggest football clubs, NBA teams, and Olympic federations.

The ‘Play Bold’ Philosophy in Storytelling

So how did RCB get here? The franchise has invested heavily in bold, emotion-first digital storytelling, putting fans at the heart of their narrative. A standout example is the three-part "Road to Finale" series—a documentary-style digital rollout that intimately tracked the team’s rollercoaster ride through IPL 2025. Not only did it appeal to diehard fans, but it also attracted casual viewers, showcasing RCB’s identity as more than just a cricket team—it’s a story-driven community.

This storytelling approach isn’t accidental. It’s been architected deliberately across IPs like RCB Bold Diaries, the popular RCB Podcast, and the annual RCB Unbox event. Each of these media vehicles reinforces the team’s character—intense on the field, personable off it.

From Culture Campaigns to Edible Kannada

One of RCB’s most innovative fan-facing activations came through its Kannada language campaign, a culture-first initiative that invited fans to “taste the language.” The campaign included edible jilebis shaped like Kannada alphabets—offering a playful, delicious, and educational twist that reflected both regional pride and digital novelty. The virality was near-instantaneous, reinforcing how RCB successfully merges local culture with global fandom.

In a cricketing world often cluttered with match recaps and stat sheets, RCB stands apart by blending cricket with culture and identity. And in doing so, they’ve created an emotional connection that algorithms can’t fake.

Key Visual 2025: Celebrating the Unseen Heroes

RCB’s 2025 Key Visual has become symbolic of their season’s theme—fandom meets faith. Displayed prominently on the team bus and digital platforms, the artwork features a selection of real-life fan stories that could rival any sports documentary. From a couple who included a “Play Bold” banner at their wedding, to a scuba diver who took the RCB jersey underwater, to a Mahakumbh pilgrim merging spirituality with sport—the visual is a living, breathing mural of the team’s influence.

These stories remind us that cricket in India is rarely just about scores. For fans, it’s identity, belief, and community. RCB has leaned into this sentiment, celebrating the everyday supporter as much as the superstar athlete.

Voices from the Management: Putting Fans First

RCB COO Rajesh Menon summed it up best:

“We are very fortunate to have one of the most loyal fanbases around the world. We try to be bold not only on the field but in how we tell stories and nourish our connection with the fans.”

This commitment to keeping fans front and centre isn’t corporate lip service. It’s evident in their initiatives, their content strategy, and even their merchandise rollouts. RCB doesn’t just market cricket—it markets community, culture, and connection.

The IPL Final and Beyond: What’s Next?

As RCB prepare to face Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 Final, the narrative is already written, regardless of the result. This has been a landmark season not only for cricketing performance but for sports marketing and digital engagement.

Their ability to scale their brand, retain fan trust, and maintain relevance across geographies is a case study waiting to be published. More importantly, it’s a blueprint for franchises looking to thrive in a world where fan engagement is the true scoreboard.