Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are officially returning to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, which is all set to kick off from March 28. After extensive coordination between various authorities, it has been confirmed that five of the defending champion’s home fixtures will be played in Bengaluru. This homecoming is the result of months of diligent work aimed at ensuring the local fanbase can once again support their team on their true home turf.
M Chinnaswamy stadium to host five RCB home IPL 2026 matches
While the majority of games return to Karnataka, the remaining two home matches of the campaign will be hosted at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. These fixtures are being held in Chhattisgarh to honor prior organizational commitments made by the franchise.
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Our fans have stood by us unconditionally: RCB CEO
In light of the announcement, RCB expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka State Cricket Association, and the Karnataka Police. The franchise credited these bodies for their essential guidance and support in upgrading stadium infrastructure and safety protocols. These collective efforts were vital in making it possible for the champions to defend their title in front of their home crowd.
“The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than just our home ground it is where our identity as a team truly comes alive. 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,” Royal Challengers Bengaluru CEO Rajesh Menon said in a statement.
“After detailed discussions and completing the necessary due process around permissions, we are pleased to confirm that RCB will play five matches in Bengaluru. We sincerely thank the Government of Karnataka, the KSCA, and the Karnataka Police for their support in making this possible,” he added.
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A capacity crowd is expected for the event, marking the first time the city will officially welcome its stars back to the stadium since the tragic stampede in 2025. That unfortunate stampede occurred during the massive public celebrations following RCB’s historic maiden IPL title, casting a shadow over the city's sporting landscape until now.
The return of these elite fixtures signals a major comeback for the city as a premier cricketing hub. This homecoming was made possible after the Karnataka cabinet formally granted approval to resume IPL matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Professional cricket had been suspended at the ground for several months following the 2025 stampede, which tragically claimed 11 lives. The government's decision to allow matches to return follows a comprehensive review of safety protocols and stadium infrastructure.