Chinnaswamy Stadium finally cleared to host IPL 2026: RCB to play five matches at their home venue

Decks are finally cleared for the Chinnaswamy Stadium to host cricket matches during the Indian Premier League (IPL). Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play five matches at their home venue in the upcoming edition of the IPL, which is reportedly scheduled to commence on March 28. The franchise also confirmed that the team will play two of its home matches in Raipur this season.

The venue will be hosting matches for the first time since it was banned by the government after 11 people lost their lives in a stampede during the RCB victory parade last year. Even the recently concluded final



of Ranji Trophy took place in Huballi as the Chinnaswamy Stadium didn't get enough clearances to host matches.

"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.