Royal Challengers Bengaluru confirmed that they secured approval to play five IPL 2026 home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after months of coordination with authorities.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru confirmed that they will play five of their seven home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the 2026 Indian Premier League season. The defending champions secured the necessary approvals after months of coordination with state authorities.
In a key development for fans, RCB announced that the majority of their home fixtures will return to Bengaluru this season. The franchise stated that the decision came after sustained efforts and close coordination with all concerned authorities to bring matches back to their traditional home venue.
The remaining two home games of IPL 2026 will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, as per a prior commitment.
“RCB extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka State Cricket Association and the Karnataka Police for their unwavering guidance, cooperation and support in facilitating the hosting of matches in Bengaluru. The collective efforts to ramp up infrastructure and safety measures in time for the IPL season have ensured that the defending champions will play the majority of their home games in their home ground,” a statement stated.
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RCB CEO Rajesh Menon highlighted the emotional connection between the team and its home venue. “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.”
“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,” Menon said.
The confirmation reinforces RCB’s strong bond with their supporters and ensures that the defending champions will once again enjoy the backing of their home crowd at their fortress in Bengaluru.
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