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So the defending champions are finally coming home. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) confirmed on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, that they will play five home games at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The goal of this move is to bring live cricket back to Bengaluru after months of uncertainty. In fact, the remaining two home fixtures will take place at the Raipur stadium. Plus, the season opener and the grand final will both be held in the heart of Bengaluru.
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Restoring Safety After the 2025 Tragedy
But here is the main reason for the long delay. The stadium faced a temporary ban after a tragic stampede during RCB’s 2025 victory parade. Is the venue safe now? Yes. Consequently, a high-level committee led by Justice John Michael D’Cunha set new safety rules for the ground. Moreover, the Karnataka government gave the final green light on February 12 after checking the new crowd control plans. Previously, fans feared that the team might move all its games to another city. So, this news brings massive relief to the RCB “12th Man” army. Therefore, the stadium is now ready to host its first major event since the accident.
Why Raipur Was Chosen as a Second Home
Still, RCB will not play all seven home games in Bengaluru. The plan includes two matches at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. And, Raipur is not a new venue for the IPL. Accordingly, the city has hosted games before, including a famous win for RCB back in 2016.
| Match Type | Venue | Date / Status |
| 🏟️ 5 Home Games | M. Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | Confirmed |
| 🏟️ 2 Home Games | Raipur Stadium | Confirmed |
| 🏆 IPL 2026 Final | M. Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | May 31, 2026 |
| 📉 Safety Status | Full Clearance | Approved by Police |
The Road to the IPL 2026 Schedule
But when will we see the full list of matches? The official schedule depends on the election dates in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Why? Because the police must be free to guard the stadiums in Kolkata and Chennai. Essentially, the BCCI will wait for the government to announce these dates before releasing the final calendar. Indeed, RCB CEO Rajesh Menon thanked the police and the state for their help in making the Bengaluru return possible.
Then there is the matter of the tournament’s final match. The reason for the excitement in Bengaluru is that the city will also host a playoff and the final. Worth noting: The final is set for May 31, 2026. Ultimately, the return of cricket to Chinnaswamy marks a new chapter for the city after a very difficult year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are only 5 games being played in Bengaluru? So, the authorities want to test the new safety measures with a smaller number of games first. Because of this, Raipur was selected to host the remaining two “home” matches to reduce the pressure on Bengaluru’s infrastructure.
Can I buy tickets for the Raipur games now? In fact, ticket sales have not started yet. Additionally, the team will release a link on their official website once the full IPL schedule is out.
Will the Women’s World Cup games return to Bengaluru too? But those games were already moved last year. Consequently, the focus is now entirely on the IPL and ensuring the 2026 season goes off without any issues.
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