Royal Challengers Bengaluru Confirm Partial Return To Chinnaswamy For IPL 2026
RCB confirms five IPL 2026 home games in Bengaluru and two fixtures in Raipur.
Defending Indian Premier League champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will return to their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, for five matches in IPL 2026, while two of their home fixtures will be played at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, the franchise announced on Tuesday. The decision resolves uncertainty over whether the team could play at Chinnaswamy following a tragic stampede that claimed 11 lives after RCB’s maiden IPL title win.
Since the 2025 incident, the stadium had not hosted major domestic cricket, including Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, or Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 matches. RCB described the upcoming return as the result of “months of hard work and close coordination” among relevant authorities to restore the venue for fans.
In a statement, the franchise expressed gratitude to the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka State Cricket Association, and the Karnataka Police for guidance and support in preparing the stadium with enhanced infrastructure and safety measures. The improvements have allowed the team to play the majority of their home games in Bengaluru.
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RCB CEO Rajesh Menon highlighted the importance of the Chinnaswamy Stadium to the team and its fans. “The energy our fans bring to Bengaluru has always been a driving force for our players, inspiring them through every phase of the game. Our fans have stood by us unconditionally, and they deserve the opportunity to watch their team compete at home,” he said.
The two matches in Raipur will be held in accordance with prior commitments. Menon added that detailed discussions and completion of necessary permissions enabled the confirmation of five matches in Bengaluru, ensuring that RCB supporters can witness their team play at their home venue once again.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for the franchise, blending fan engagement with improved safety protocols, and represents a return to normalcy for one of the IPL’s most popular teams after a season overshadowed by tragedy.
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