The Royal Challengers Bengaluru will return M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the IPL 2026 season. The defending champions will play five of their home games at the venue while two fixtures are scheduled in Raipur.
RCB CEO, Rajesh Menon has said that M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than a ground and lauded the fans for providing unconditional support the franchise.
“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,” he said.
𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 #𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗣𝗟 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻! 🔥#OnThisDay last year, we ushered in a new era announcing Rajat Patidar as the captain of RCB. 😇
From stepping in as an injury replacement to leading the side to glory, the journey has… pic.twitter.com/xgl4R1TlK7
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2026
“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.
Heard today is #KissDay! 😅 pic.twitter.com/FXWAUiMgdd
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 13, 2026
Controversy Around RCB
A stampede situation occurred near Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium last year where people were celebrating Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) in IPL 2025. At least 11 people have been killed and 33 others injured in the chaos. An FIR was filed against RCB, DNA, the event management company, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
According to ESPNCricinfo, in the status report, the government said: “The RCB Management, in association with its event management partner, DNA Networks Private Limited, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), unilaterally decided to hold the victory celebration without prior consultation with the police and without obtaining the necessary permissions or license for such celebration.”
