IPL 2026: For IPL 2026, the BCCI has scheduled the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to play five matches at their home ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Two additional home matches, out of a total of seven, are set to be held in Raipur.
No high-profile match has occurred at this stadium since the tragic stampede during last year’s victory parade. It remains unclear whether the Rajat Patidar-led team will play home matches in Bengaluru, as the BCCI stated it will receive clearance only after the Karnataka government’s Expert Committee inspects the venue.
“The matches scheduled in Bengaluru are subject to clearance from the Expert Committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka," a statement released by the BCCI said.
This committee will meet and inspect M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 13, 2026. During this visit, a full mock demonstration of match-day operations will take place to assess the stadium’s IPL readiness.
Consistent with tradition, the reigning IPL champions open the new season at their home venue. According to the schedule for the first 20 matches, RCB faces Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, followed by a match against Chennai Super Kings at the same venue on April 5.
Following last year’s incident, the stadium underwent significant security and infrastructure upgrades. Venkatesh Prasad, President of Karnataka Cricket Association, noted that decongestion was addressed by constructing 13 new gates.
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Special lanes for women and children have also been introduced.
At the same time, RCB and Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited will offer free metro tickets to all fans.
The Rajat Patidar-led side will assemble at M Chinnaswamy Stadium later this week. Prasad announced, “RCB is likely to assemble here on March 15, and the ticketed Unbox event will happen here a week prior to the IPL opening match,” during a recent press conference.