Chinnaswamy Stadium to Host Five RCB Home Games in IPL 2026; Raipur Gets Two Matches

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has been officially confirmed as the home venue for five Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) matches in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Additionally, the franchise will play two home fixtures at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Stadium in Raipur “as per prior commitments.”

The confirmation follows a crucial meeting between KSCA and RCB officials on Monday, with the BCCI now apprised of the arrangements. Sources indicate the Chinnaswamy is likely to host the season opener on March 28, along with a playoff game and the final.

The decision comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the venue’s readiness following a tragic stampede in June 2025 that claimed 11 lives during RCB’s victory celebrations. The John Justice D’Cunha report, which audited the stadium late last year, identified several infrastructure shortcomings, leading to a 17-point overhaul mandated by the state government.

RCB CEO Rajesh Menon confirmed the franchise has “completed necessary due processes around permissions” after receiving clarity on safety-related concerns, particularly regarding liability in case of untoward incidents involving multiple stakeholders, RCB, KSCA, and government agencies.

The KSCA, under new president Venkatesh Prasad, now has until March 15 to complete pending work, including widening entry and exit gates and ensuring smooth access for ambulances. The old National Cricket Academy (NCA) premises will serve as an assembly area for crowd management. Notably, there has been no directive to reduce stadium capacity, a key concern for RCB.

RCB’s decision to play two games in Raipur follows an MoU signed with the Chhattisgarh government in January, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai offering full support, including certain tax exemptions.

The IPL 2026 schedule is expected to be announced imminently.

                                               

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