Bengaluru gets majority of RCB home games, Raipur added as second venue ahead of IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play five matches at their home ground in Bengaluru, while two fixtures have been allotted to Raipur, adding a fresh twist to their upcoming season schedule.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Image Credit: RCB)
Last Updated: 06.01 PM, Mar 03, 2026
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have finally got the positive response for hosting the matches in Bengaluru ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. As the season is approaching, RCB had no fixed home ground since BCCI had banned M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru after the victory parade that happened last year.
However, ahead of the season, the franchise has confirmed that Bengaluru will host five games while the other two matches will happen in Raipur. This means that RCB have two home grounds this season. The franchise owners have expressed their gratitude towards the Government of Karnataka for their support and guidance.
"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," RCB said in a statement.
Will Bengaluru host IPL 2026 opening ceremony?
The IPL winners of one season usually host the opening ceremony in the next season. While this isn't a rule, this has been going on for a while as a ritual. This year as well, several reports claims that the first match might be in Bengaluru. However, the franchise didn't mention anything related to the same in their statement. They did speak about how the fans deserve to watch the matches in their home ground.
"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," read the statement.
Where to watch South Africa vs New Zealand match?
Cricket fans in India can watch the South Africa vs New Zealand match on March 4 online on JioHotstar, via OTTplay Premium.