Bengaluru, Mar 3 (.) Defending Indian Premier League champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Tuesday confirmed that five of their home matches in the IPL 2026 season will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, marking a full-fledged return to their traditional home venue.
The franchise said the development follows months of coordination with various authorities to facilitate the hosting of matches in the city. The remaining two home fixtures of RCB’s IPL 2026 campaign will be staged at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, in line with prior commitments.
RCB expressed gratitude to Karnataka government, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the Karnataka Police for their guidance and cooperation in ensuring the return of matches to Bengaluru.
The franchise noted that infrastructure upgrades and enhanced safety measures were completed in time for the season, enabling the defending champions to host the majority of their games at home.
Rajesh Menon, CEO of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said the Chinnaswamy Stadium represents more than just a venue for the team.
“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,” he said.
“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 Karnataka government, the KSCA, and the Karnataka Police for their support in making this possible,” Menon added.
The move reinforces RCB’s strong connect with its home supporters, as the champions prepare to defend their title with the backing of the Bengaluru fans at their fortress.
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