According to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary Santosh Menon, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host a total of seven matches during the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This includes five home matches of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one play-off match, and the all-important final.
“They (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) have agreed to play five games in Bengaluru, and the playoff will also be played in Bengaluru, and the biggest news is the final of the IPL will also be played in Bengaluru. The fans are going to be entertained at the inaugural function — the date will be shortly announced — followed by the first match, five league games, one play-off game, and the final. This is what the BCCI has committed to us, and probably they will announce the schedule shortly. The RCB roar is going to echo again in the Chinnaswamy Stadium,” said the KSCA Secretary.
It is important to note that RCB’s two other home matches will be hosted at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
“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 on Tuesday, March 3.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Menon, the CEO of RCB, referred to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as the identity of the franchise.
“The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than just our home ground; it is where out 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,” Rajesh 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 Government of Karnataka, the KSCA, and the Karnataka Police for their support in making this possible,” he added.
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Notably, the M Chinnaswamy has been suspended since June 2025 after 11 fans lost their lives during a stampede that took place in RCB’s IPL 2025 title celebration. The return of cricket at the iconic venue comes as music to the ears of the passionate fans in the region. RCB have one of the most passionate fan bases in the competition. Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli and Co. will be waiting eagerly to enter the Chinnaswamy as defending champions. The Royal Challengers look to become only the third team to win back-to-back IPL titles.
