RCB Return to Chinnaswamy Stadium Confirmed, Bengaluru to Host 5 IPL 2026 Matches
Cricket is set to return to the famous M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru after a long interval following the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 11 people. Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday announced that 5 of the 7 home matches of the team in the Indian Premier League 2026 will be held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. This puts all speculation to rest about the return of the team to Bengaluru.
RCB to Play 5 IPL 2026 Matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru
The remaining 2 home matches will be held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. Previously, RCB had considered playing their home matches at other places like Pune. In addition, the franchise had also requested the Mumbai Indians if they could use the DY Patil Stadium, but the request was denied.
𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲. 🏟️❤️🥹
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 3, 2026
5️⃣ home games at the Chinnaswamy. ❤️🔥
2️⃣ in Raipur. 😎
Bengaluru, get ready. The champions return to entertain you! 👑🔥#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/WGBG8niDUv
RCB CEO Rajesh Menon said that,
“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,”
The renovation of the Chinnaswamy Stadium has been completed. This renovation was carried out based on the suggestions of the Justice Cunha Committee. Renovations were made by the Karnataka State Cricket Association, headed by Venkatesh Prasad, a former Indian player, so that cricket could be safely introduced again in the city.
