Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will return to familiar ground in IPL 2026. The team will play seven home matches, five in Bengaluru and two in Raipur.
Five of those matches will be held at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The remaining two games will take place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium.
The move marks a strong return to Bengaluru as RCB’s main base. The decision came after months of coordination, talks, and regulatory clearances.
Team officials said the process involved detailed discussions and completing the required permissions. With everything now in place, Bengaluru is ready to host most of RCB’s home fixtures again.
“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 franchise said.
The Karnataka government, along with the KSCA and Karnataka Police, worked closely to ensure stadium readiness and fan safety. Infrastructure and security measures were reviewed before giving the green signal.
For RCB, the Chinnaswamy Stadium has always been more than just a venue. It has been the heart of their journey, especially during their title-winning 2025 season.
“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,” the statement added.
At the same time, RCB will honour their prior commitments in Raipur. The franchise had earlier agreed to host a part of their home schedule there, and that arrangement continues for IPL 2026.
Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium has also seen strong fan support in the past. The two matches there will help the team connect with supporters in central India.
As defending champions, RCB will begin the new season with high expectations. With Bengaluru back as their primary home, the red and gold army will hope to once again turn Chinnaswamy into a fortress.